BX 7791 

.A3 N7 

1814 



























s ^ 






MEMORIALS 






CONCERNING 



SEVERAL MINISTERS 



V 



AN© 



OTHERS, DECEASED; 



OF THE RELIGIOUS 



SOCIETY OF FRIENDS; 



WITH 



SOME OF THEIR LAST EXPRESSIONS'. 



<K?5!% 




FlfBliSHED BY SAMITES WOOD, NO. 357, PEAftMTHSM'. 

1814. 



PREFACE. 



THE Meeting for sufferings representing the Yearly 
fleeting of the Society of Friends, for the State of 
New- York, and parts adjacent, taking into consideration, 
that no publicity by printing had been given to the tes- 
timonies concerning deceased Friends on record ; and 
believing, that a suitable selection from them would 

promote the cause of religion, have prepared this work 
for the press, in the hope that the relations therein con- 
tained of the peaceful close of those who, by obedience 
to the manifestations of divine Grace, had witnessed an 
advancement in the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, would tend to excite others to similar faithful- 
ness, in observing that it had produced in them the 
genuine fruits of vital Christianity, in the truths of 
which they had most surely believed ; and that it had 
preserved them through the trials and vicissitudes of 
life, and at its solemn period had disarmed death of its 
terrors, and given them a foretaste of the joys which 
God hath prepared for them that love him. 

" Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright ; far 
the end of that man is peace." Psalm xxxvii. 37, 



MEMORIALS 



CONCERNING 



SEVERAL MINISTERS, 



VXD OTHERS, DECEASED. 



The Testimony of John Way> concerning 
Richard Hallet. Approved by the 
Monthly Meeting of Flushing. 

OUR worthy friend, Richard Hallet, was 
born within the limits of Newtown, on 
Long-Island. His parents were members 
of the Church of England, in which pro- 
fession he was educated ; and when about 
the 19th or 20th year of his age, being 
reduced to a low, weak state, by a wound 
on his foot, whfcft confined him to the 
house near nine months; his mind became 
impressed with religious concern, and he 



G 



often look notice of the wanton and airy 

m 

carriage of libertine young people, who 
frequented his father's house ; and as their 
conduct became a grief to his mind, he 
would sometimes reprove them; where- 
upon some told him, they believed he 
would be a Quaker : to whom he replied, 
that he believed the people called Quakers, 
walked nearest the rule laid down by 
Christ for his followers. In this state of 
confinement, he had frequent desires to 
attend Friends' Meetings ; but being pre- 
vented through inability, betook himself 
to reading their books ; among which, was 
one entitled, ' A Loving Invitation to 
Young and Old,' written by our friend, 
Thomas Chalkley, with which he expressed 
great satisfaction. As soon as bodily 
strength would admit, he rode to meetings, 
taking with him his crutch and staff, by 
which means, he was enabled to attend 
them some time before he could walk ; be- 
ing fervent in spirit, the Lord condescend- 
ed to favour him with the incomes of his 
love, by which his heart was often tender- 



ed, ere he fell a necessity of appearing 
in public ministry ; the first of which wa- 
in supplication at a meeting in New-York. 
I was in company with him at the time, and 
was sensible that his mind was favoured 
with the overshadowing wing of divine 
kindness, and that his offering was to good 
satisfaction. He met with close trials 
from his father, before he left him, for not 
conforming to the Church ceremonies, but 
his mother being a tender spirited woman, 
was grieved at such treatment. His father, 
in order to try him, bid him take the key 
of his chest, unlock it, and bring his will 
to him ; which being done, he told him, 
that, since he harkened to the counsel of 
others more than to his parents, he should 
not be the better for his property, and 
then cancelled it before him ; but that say- 
ing of Christ rose in his mind, to signify to 
his father, " he that ioveth father or mother, 
house or lands, or any thing more than me, 
is not worthy of me ;" at which, his father 
was silent some time ; and then replied, 
u What ! do you think, that I would not 



8 



have you love Christ ?" But Richard ex- 
pressed his willingness to part with all 
for his Master's sake. About this time, 
he bought a place near the Kilns, in New T - 
town, to which he removed ; and after 
his marriage, continued a member of the 
Meeting, at Newtown. He was an ex- 
cellent example in the attendance of meet- 
ings, in conversation, in charity, both as to 
hospitality and love. His ministry w r as 
plain, sound, and lively ; and he often ex- 
horted his friends to faithfulness, and to 
prize time. He was very useful in the 
discipline ; a great lover of Friends, and 
others, being of a truly Catholic disposi- 
tion ; expressing frequently the apostle 
Peter's testimony to the universality of 
the love of God ; " I perceive of a truth, 
that God is no respecter of persons ; but 
in everv nation, he that feareth God and 
worketh righteousness, shall be accepted." 
He was a faithful watchman, and frequent- 
ly gave the alarm when he apprehended 
the approach of the enemy, often remind- 
ing us in his testimony, that the Lord's 



arm was not shortened, that he could not 
save ; nor his ear heavy, that he could not 
hear ; but would condescend graciously 
to fulfil the promise made unto the two or 
three who were met in his name, unto 
which divine power he often commended 
friends, manifesting a disposition like one 
formerly ; who, for Zion's sake, would not 
hold his peace, nor for Jerusalem's sake 
rest, until the righteousness thereof should 
go forth as brightness, and the salvation as 
the lamp that burnetii. 

I visited him often in his last illness 
w ; hen his bodily affliction was so great, 
that he could take little or no rest ; and 
finding him, one time, a little relieved, I 
asked him how he did : his answer was* 
a Very poorly ;" upon which, I expressed 
great sorrow, to see him in such affliction ; 
but that I believed it was all he had to do, 
having been faithful : he replied, we shall 
have nothing to spare : and this he often 
reminded Friends of, in his testimony con- 
cerning the ten virgins. One thing I may 
not omit, viz. his particular care, when 



(0 



meetings were appointed, to give general 
notice ; in which he manifested a great 
desire that others might come, taste, and 
see, how good the Lord is. In his religious 
labours, he approved himself diligent and 
faithful to the last period of his time : and 
no doubt, has received a crown of right- 
eousness, so pathetically described by the 
eminent apostle, as laid up in store for all 
them that love the appearance of our Lord 
Jesus. May we that remain, so follow 
him as he followed Christ, that through 
like fervent love and faithful obedience, at 
the winding up of time, we may also have 
the same blessed assurance, 



11 



The Testimony of the Monthly Meeting, at 
Nine Farinas, concerning Aaroh Vail. 



HE was born in Westchester Count v, 
in the province of New- York, in 1722. 
His parents professed with the Presbyte- 
rians, amo whom he had his education ; 
and being in his vouth often under reli- 
gious concern, he was favoured with sea- 

ns of spiritual refreshment, and as he 
advanced in years, his exercise increased, 
:d he frequented the meetings of differ- 
ent societies : but did not witness ih 
peace of mind his soul sought after, until 
about the twenty-seventh year of his as'e, 
when he found his mind led to attend tl 
meetings of our society, in which he found 
the consolation of divine love, that often 
broke him into tenderness, and produced 
longing desires for the prosperity of the 
truth. About the twentv-ninth year of his 
age, he removed to Nine-Partners, with his 
family, and continued to be a constant at- 
tender of our meetings for divine worship, 



12 



and was received a member of oUr society, 
in the year 1753; and, being careful to 
attend to that power which had operated 
in his mind, it pleased the Lord to bestow 
on him a gift in the Ministry. It was his 
lot often to pass through much tribulation 
and poverty of spirit ; and he became 
qualified to divide the word aright, and 
was an able Minister of the gospel, through 
the sanctifying power thereof ; he was often 
concerned to travel in the work of the 
Ministry, and w r as frequently led to labour 
in the discipline, that truth's judgment 
might not be evaded ; and having an ex- 
cellent gift therein, he became very ser- 
viceable in the church. He was likewise 
much engaged for the freedom of the op- 
pressed Africans, and that Friends might 
be entirely clear of the gain of oppression, 
and be redeemed from all selfish views. 
He was concerned to admonish others to 
wait on the Lord in silence, as the only 
w r ay to witness their strength renewed ; 
and practised the same, by calling his 
family to sit in retirement ; thus adorning 



13 



the doctrine he preached by his own ex- 
ample. He was courteous and affable in 
conversation, and much beloved in his 
neighbourhood ; a kind and loving hus- 
band, and an affectionate father. A short 
time before his last sickness, he was exer- 
cised in public Ministry in a lively man- 
ner ; saying, that he thought his day's 
work was nearly done : and he appeared 
to be much concerned that Friends should 
dwell in the life of religion, that they might 
witness the ancient power to be their sup- 
port, by which they would be able to stand 
in times of trial, as he apprehended a 
time would come, when every foundation 
would be tried. In his illness, he was also 
much concerned that his w T ife and children 
should live near the Lord, and know him to 
be their portion and the lot of their inherit- 
ance, and that his children might be pre- 
served in love and tender affection to their 
mother, and one towards another. After 
a lingering sickness of some years, he de- 
parted this life, the eleventh of the Eighth 
month, 1776, in the fifty-fifth year of his 

age, having been a Minister about 12 years. 

2 



14 



The Testimony of the Monthly Meeting oj 
Wesibury, concerning Samuel Prior. 

BY taking heed to the visitations of 
divine love in his youthful days, he wit- 
nessed the powerful effects thereof, and 
became qualified for the service of Truth. 
He had a gift in the ministry bestowed on 
him when young, in the exercise of which 
we believe he was faithful. He bore a 
steady testimony against the corrupt cus- 
toms and fashions of the world, both by 
example and precept; being himself a 
plain man, and free from affectation, his 
ministry was sound and edifying. He was 
a diligent attender of our religious meet- 
ings, while health and strength permitted, 
but did not travel much abroad ; and when, 
through infirmity of body, he was confined 
at home, he manifested resignation of mind 
to the divine will. His greatest concern 
appeared to be about heavenly things, 
many times expressing his desires to see 
Friends prosper in the Truth. 



15 



He was a loving husband, a tender father, 
a sympathizing friend, and much beloved 
in his neighbourhood. When the time of 
his departure drew nigh, he often express- 
ed his desire, that he might be preserved in 
patience till his change came ; appearing 
in a childlike state, filled with innocence 
and humility. A few days before his death, 
being visited by some Friends, he express- 
ed himself to this effect : " My days are 
near wound up, I think ;" and it being ob- 
served to him, that they believed he was 
willing, he replied, " Yea, if I am pre- 
pared." He departed this life, the twenty- 
fourth of the Fourth month, one thousand 
seven hundred and seventy-eight, aged up- 
wards of eighty-four years, and we believe 
now enjoys the reward of the righteous. 



16 



The Testimony of the Monthly Meeting of 
Purchase , concerning Phebe Weeks. 

SHE was convinced of the rectitude of 
the principles of Friends when young ; but 
through reasoning and disobedience, con- 
tinued in weakness, and in the want of that 
peace which the faithful enjoy ; but the 
Lord in mercy following her with convic- 
tion and reproof, so wrought upon her, that 
she resigned herself to answer his requir- 
ing, by which she obtained comfort and 
satisfaction of mind ; and persevering in 
good measure in faithfulness, she was called 
to the work of the ministry ; and although 
her communications were not extensive, 
yet they were acceptable and edifying. 
She was a faithful wife, a tender and watch- 
ful mother, a good neighbour, and given 
to hospitality. She was zealous that dis- 
cipline might be maintained, and Friends' 
children kept in plainness of speech and 
apparel. Some time before her last sick- 
ness, she expressed to her husband, that 



17 



she daily felt the comfort of the holy 
Spirit to such a degree, as not to expect her 
stay would be long in this world ; saying, 
" that she felt a preparation, and was will- 
ing to die ;" adding, " could any desire 
her stay in a world of trouble, who had an 
interest in a better to come '?" In her last 
sickness, she spoke but little, though what 
she said was savoury and tendering to those 
present. She departed this life, the 12th 
of Third month, 1779, aged 45 years. 



2* 



rr 



The Testimony of the Monthly Meeting oj 

Flushing, concerning Matthew 

Franklin. 

HE was many years a faithful labourer 
in the gospel : his ministry was sound and 
edifying ; and he frequently exhorted 
others to love, and good works ; inviting 
them to come, taste, and see, how good the 
Lord is. He was a diligent attender of 
our religious meetings, both for worship 
and discipline, often visiting the neighbour- 
ing meetings, and sometimes those in other 
colonies. He was serviceable in transact- 
ing the affairs of the church, and the want 
of his fatherly care is felt by us. He was 
a tender husband, a good neighbour, cheer- 
ful and pleasant with young and old, ready 
to reprove for evil, but not austere ; open 
hearted among his friends and others, being 
a good example of industry in his temporal 
affairs, which enabled him to spare to those 
who were in need, and he entertained many 



1 9 



friends freely at his house. His plain, 
meek, and innocent deportment, was very 
inviting ; he was in a good degree raised 
above the fading enjoyments of this world, 
and when his outward man was decaying, 
and his time seemed nearly at an end, the 
heart-melting goodness of the Lord made 
his cup to run over, and we believe he mea- 
sureably felt that evidence in himself, 
which is expressed by the eminent apostle, 
2 Timothy, iv. 7, 8, " I have fought a 
good fight, I have finished my course, I 
have kept the faith : henceforth there is 
laid up for me, a crown of righteousness, 
which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall 
give me at that day : and not to me only, 
but unto all them also that love his appear- 
ing." In his last sickness, a friend went to 
see him, and after a time of silence, he 
broke into tears, and expressed himself as 
follows : " O, God ! thou art good, and thy 
tender mercies are over all thy works : 
may all the inhabitants of the earth praise 
thee : thou art good, thy arm hath been 
underneath me ? and been my support, or I 



20 



had fainted long ago, blessed be thy name, 
saiih my soul." He was preserved in re- 
signation and stability of mind, and de- 
parted this life, the 29th of the Ninth 
Month, 1780, in the 82d year of his age* 



2 J 



The Testimony of the 31onlkty Meeting of 
Westbury, coneerning Phebe Dodge. 

BY taking heed to the dictates of Truth, 
she gradually experienced the work of 
sanctification through the operation of the 
holy Spirit, when young in years; and 
through faithfulness, she became qualified 
to tell unto others w T hat the Lord had done 
for her, having a gift in the ministry com- 
mitted to her, in the exercise of which, 
she was instrumental to stir up the pure 
mind, so that many can from a degree of 
experience say, they have felt the comfort- 
able effects of her fervent labour. She 
found her mind engaged in gospel love to 
visit the churches abroad, and in the year 
1752, with the unitv and concurrence of 
her brethren and sisters, she performed a 
visit to Friends in Great Britain \ and on 
her return home, with the reward of peace, 
she produced certificates expressive of the 
satisfaction of Friends with her religious 
service. Her ministry was lively and in- 



22 



structive, accompanied with a fervent zeal 
for the honour of God, and the good of 
souls. She was of an exemplary life and 
conversation, a good neighbour, an affec- 
tionate friend, and open hearted to the 
poor. She was often exercised in visiting 
families, and appeared to be suitably quali- 
fied for that weighty service, and was truly 
a mother in Israel. When, through in- 
firmity of body, she was prevented being 
much abroad, she often expressed her con- 
cern, that Friends might be given up to 
the service of visiting families ; and would 
frequently, as opportunity offered, endea- 
vour to encourage the practice of silent 
waiting and retirement in families, and was 
a good example therein to the last. For 
several years before her departure, she 
was so infirm as not to be able to meet 
constantly with her friends at the place of 
public worship; but when of ability to 
attend, was frequently enabled to preach 
the truth of the gospel ; and when, by in- 
creased debility, she was confined athome, 
she appeared like one whose mind was 



23 



much redeemed from these lower and 
fading enjoyments: being often filled with 
divine love, it flowed to those who came 
to see her, and manv who visited her to- 
wards the solemn close, were comforted in 
beholding the greenness in advanced age 
conspicuous in her; for, although her out- 
ward tabernacle was decaying, and drew 
towards its dissolution, yet, being inward- 
ly renewed, her mind was many times 
lifted up in thanksgiving and praise to her 
Redeemer ; and like one whose day's work 
was done, she seemed waiting for the time 
when she might be called from this state 
of being, into the mansions of never-end- 
ing felicity. In the time of her last illness, 
which was short, she appeared in a com- 
posed frame of mind, saying, her time was 
near at an end, and that she believed it 
would be well with her. She departed this 
life at Cowneck, the place of her residence, 
the 7th of the Ninth Month, 1782, aged 
83 years, a minister near 60. 



24 



Postscript — The testimony of the Men's 
Meeting, concerning our dear, ancient 
friend, Phebe Dodge, deceased, was read 
in our Monthly Meeting of women Friends, 
held at Westbury, and we have good 
unity with it, yet we feel our minds en- 
gaged to make an addition thereto, from 
our own knowledge and experience of her 
services and faithful labours. She was 
endowed with an acceptable gift in the 
ministry, in the exercise of which, she was 
lively and edifying, and frequently favour- 
ed with the spirit of prayer and supplica- 
tion, and enabled fervently to intercede 
that the Lord would be pleased to send 
forth more labourers into his harvest, see- 
ing it was great, and the labourers few. 
She was very serviceable in our meetings 
for discipline, being well qualified for 
transacting the affairs of the church, and 
concerned for the proper government and 
comely order thereof. She was quick of 
discernment, and sound in judgment ; and 
though close and plain with obstinate trans- 
gressors, and those at ease in Zion, yet to 






25 



tiiose in whom appeared the tender im- 
pressions of Truth, her advice and doctrine 
were as the dew of Hermon and the small 
rain upon the tender grass ; and we believe 
her ministry was instrumental in the di- 
vine hand, to turn many from the power 
of darkness to the power of God. 

We conclude, with desires that her gospel 
labours may be sanctified to us her survi- 
vers, and quicken our minds to follow her 
footsteps ; that at last, we may receive, as 
we believe she hath done, an entrance into 
that kingdom, where the wicked cease from 
troubling, and the weary are at rest. 



3 



2G 



The Testimony of the Monthly Meeting of 
Wcstbury, concerning Sarah Mott. 

THROUGH attenton to the discoveries 
of divine grace, she was enabled to live a 
careful, inoffensive life, being measurably 
clothed with a meek and quiet spirit. She 
was a steady attender of our religious 
meetings, when of ability of body, and 
exemplary in a solid, quiet waiting therein; 
a good neighbour, a loving and affection- 
ate wife, a tender mother, kind and open 
hearted to those that stood in need of re- 
lief : and that she continued in a steady, 
humble perseverance to the end of her 
time, will appear by the following expres- 
sions which she delivered during her last 
illness. — A few days before her departure, 
being asked to take some refreshment, she 
answered, " Nay, I seem otherwise en- 
gaged," and desired those present to draw 
near her bedside : although her weakness 
was such, that for some time it had been 
difficult for her to express herself, yet she 






°7 



was favoured at this time to speak consid- 
erable, and tell what the Lord had done 
for her, desiring all to prepare for such a 
time ; adding, each must do his own 
work ; and spoke tenderly to her children, 
desiring them to go to meetings, and when 
there, to endeavour to get their minds into 
true silence, a state suitable to receive in- 
struction, both in meetings and out ; say- 
ing, she thought her outward employment 
never went on better, than w T hen her mind 
was devoted to the great Giver, who hath 
all power in his hands, to give plentifully 
or withhold, as he may see meet ; and said 5 
u I entreat you to remember the poor, and 
be ready to lend a hand of help, for I have 
thought, that none have been the poorer 
for being kind to those that stand in need, 
and some I have thought, have been bless- 
ed in basket and in store on that account ;' 
and entreated them to give up to serve the 
Lord, in the flower of their age. She often 
expressed, that she longed for the time of 
separation to come, yet desired to be pre- 
served in patience to the end* and some 



28 



time after broke forth after this manne* : 
" I can sing praises to thy great name, and 
am thankful for thy favours in continuing 
thy mercy, from time to time, to me, a poor 
unworthy creature ; and if it be consistent 
with thy divine will, grant, I pray thee, an 
easy passage/' Thus, in much quietude 
and patience, appearing to have her last 
prayer granted, she departed this life, the 
I Oth of the First Month, 1783, in the 47th 
year of her age. 



29 



Tlic Testimony of the Monthly Meeting oj 
Westbury, concerning John Willis. 

HE was born at Jericho, the 8th of the 
Second Month, 1734, of religious parents, 
viz. Samuel and Mary Willis, who care- 
fully educated him in the principles of 
Truth as professed by Friends, and he was 
early visited by the secret manifestation* 
of divine love, as he has been often heard 
to express, yet the vanities of this life, and 
a too eager pursuit of temporal things, 
prevented his yielding obedience to those 
divine visitations, until about the 24th year 
of his age, when, pursuing his business with 
his usual vigour, he was suddenly taken 
with a bleeding of the lungs, occasioned 
(as was believed) by too great an exertion 
of his natural strength, by which he was 
so reduced, that his recovery was rendered 
doubtful : in this condition, he was brought 
under great exercise of mind respecting 
his soul's peace, and was enabled to cry 
for mercy, and that he might witness the 

3* 



30 



presence of the Lord to his comfort. Th6 
strong man that had been so eagerly pur- 
suing temporal enjoyments, was now 
brought down, and the creature reduced 
to a dependence on his Creator ; and he 
has often been heard to say, that he believ- 
ed his days were lengthened to him, on 
condition of his yielding himself in faith- 
fulness to the Lord's requiring ; and by the 
resignation of his own will he experienced 
peace, and by the healing virtue of divine 
power, his mind was turned from a delight 
in worldly enjoyments to an earnest pur- 
suit of those things which are eternal ; and 
being favoured measurably to recover his 
bodily strength, he became a diligent at- 
tender of our religious meetings, and con- 
tinuing fervent in spirit, he grew in reli- 
gious experience, and was of exemplary 
deportment ; and being faithful to the far- 
ther openings and discoveries of divine 
grace ; about the thirty-fifth year of his 
age, the Lord was pleased to call him to the 
work of the ministry, and by continued 
obedience, be became an able minister of 



31 



the gospel, and much concerned for the 
support of our christian discipline. He 
was concerned to order his own house well, 
and to nurture his children in the fear and 
admonition of the Lord, and was often ex- 
ercised in religious visits to Friends' fami- 
lies ; and though he lived at a considerable 
distance from meeting, he often attended 
under much bodily weakness, occasioned 
by frequent returns of the indisposition 
before mentioned, where he was enabled, 
with strength of voice as if in health, to 
testify of the goodness of God, to the com* 
fort and refreshment of many, and to invite 
all to come, taste and see that the Lord is 
good. Notwithstanding his weak state of 
body, he several times visited the churches 
in some of the neighbouring provinces, as 
well as those within the compass of our 
own Yearly Meeting, and his labours were 
to the satisfaction and comfort of his 
friends, and the peace of his own mind 
A little before he was confined at home, 
he made a satisfactory visit to the meetings 
constituting the Monthly Meeting of West- 



32 



bury, of which he was a member, to take 
a final farewell of his friends. 

When he became confined at home, 
(through the continuance of his disorder, 
w T hich terminated in a consumption) and 
expected his dissolution was drawing near, 
he appeared in a composed frame of mind, 
and was frequently led to administer suita- 
ble counsel and advice to divers of the 
youth and others who came to visit him. 
He also delivered many weighty express- 
ions to his relations and others, who attend- 
ed him, the substance of some of which fol- 
lows, viz. 

As two of his sisters were sitting in si- 
lence with him, he said, " Such seasons 
are comfortable ; the Lord has reserved 
a blessing for his seed, from one genera- 
tion to another :" at another time, he said, 
he saw nothing in his way, but felt great 
peace ; and again said, he had not been 
weary in the way the Lord had been pleas- 
ed to lead him ; and now 7 , the comfort and 
satisfaction it afforded w 7 as beyond words 
to express. The day before his departure, 



33 



he said several times, he felt death, but ai 
intervals said, " Life is strong, and will not 
yield ; but the Lord's will be done ;" and 
said, " Oh, my gracious Father ! thou 
knowest my love to thee is strong." Ob- 
serving one of his sisters to weep, he said, 
" What makes thee mourn ? there is more 
occasion of joy, than sorrow 7 !" and desired 
that those who were about him might be 
still ; saying, " It is at times hard to part, 
but the blessing is above all." A few min- 
utes before his departure, he said, " I am 
going to the Father ! Oh, come quickly, 
thy servant is ready ;" and soon after, 
quietly departed this life, aged upwards 
of 54 years. 



34 



The Testimony of the Monthly Meeting oj 
New- York j concerning Thomas Burling, 
son of Thomas Burling. 

AS the power of Truth on the mind is 
at seasons remarkably} felt and experi- 
enced, so the present instance affords an 
evidence of that divine love, and holy help, 
which, as an arm of mercy underneath, in a 
remarkable manner enabled this youth to 
bear, with fortitude and resignation, his 
last illness, and to shew forth the goodness 
of the Lord, by the operation of Truth 
on his heart* He was taken ill about the 
8th of the Third Month, so as to be con- 
fined to the house. Tn the forepart of the 
time, he appeared much concerned about 
his future happiness, and bore his pain and 
sickness with patience, his mind appearing 
to be divinely supported under the trying 
dispensation ; the tenth of the month, he 
was confined to his bed, having been the 
preceding night much spent with severe 
puking, but in the morning, he was some- 



35 



what relieved ; his countenance appearing 
composed, he said to one of his aunts, " I 
am very weak and low, and don't know 
whether I shall recover, dost thou think I 
shall ?" He was answered, she " hoped he 
would," and desired him to endeavour to 
keep his mind quiet and resigned : in a little 
time after, his countenance appearing to 
her very sweet, and his mind easy, she 
asked him how he felt, he said, " I feel 
better/ 1 but soon complained of his stom- 
ach. Seventhday morning, he grew r much 
worse, and the puking returning, he said 
to his aunt, " I believe I am going; dost 
thou not think so ?" She asked him if he 
was willing, he readily answered, "Yes, and 
shall go to the Lord," and then prayed to 
the Lord, that he would be pleased to take 
him, and cause him to sit down with him, 
saying, " he hath made my feet like hind's 
feet, and set me on high places ;" and 
again prayed with great fervency of spirit, 
nearly as follows : " Oh, blessed, holy Fa- 
ther ! thou that makest a way in the deep, 
and paths in the great waters* if it be thy 



36 



blessed will, with thy dear Son, who gave 
himself for the world, grant that I may 
witness thy light to shine on my taberna- 
cle, and join angels and archangels, who 
for ever worship thee in singing hallelujah, 
with might, majesty, and dominion, for 
thou art worthy, world without end. Amen, 
Amen/' 

One of his uncles came in to see him, 
to whom he said, " My dear uncle, thou 
hast been very kind to me, but I am going 
to leave thee," and signified, that he hoped 
shortly to be in heaven, should it be the 
will of his heavenly Father, to allow him 
a seat in his holy mansions ; there to join 
in songs of hallelujah to his great name ; 
and then desired to be remembered to his 
relations at Rahway, and bid him farewell. 
There appearing now no hope of his re- 
covery, he asked his father if he was will- 
ing to give him up, who said, it was hard, 
but he endeavoured to be resigned ; after 
a little pause, he said, " Don't be uneasy, 
father, about me, 5 ' and soon after prayed 
in such a manner as excited great tender- 



37 



_-s in those near him, making use of such 
expressions, as some thought, till then, he 
had no idea of. One of his aunts coming 
to the bedside, to offer him some drink, he 
looked up with a composed countenance, 
and said to her, " I shall 0*0 before my 
cousin Benjamin," (who was then supposed 
to be near his end) and further added, " I 
little thought of being taken away at this 
time of life." Expressing a desire to see 
two of his uncles, after a short time they 
came in with a friend, he gave each of them 
his hand, and said, " I am going," and ask- 
ed the friend if he thought he should go 
happy ? " Yes, dear child, there is no 
doubt with me," and after a short pause, 
added, "there is a blessing for thee ; rest 
is near at hand ;" he then said, " Oh, that 
I mav be founded and grounded on the 
mighty rock of ages ;" and being filled 
with praises to the Lord, he frequently 
prayed with great fervency, acknowledge 
irg, with concern of mind, that he had not 
been so thankful as he ought, for the manv 
benefits and mercies he had received. He 



38 



was very affectionate and loving, and sev- 
eral times expressed a concern for all pre- 
sent, that their minds might be composed 
and brought into humility and true obe- 
dience, so as to worship God in spirit, who, 
he said, was alone worthy of all honour 
and glory ; and further said, " Holy Fa- 
ther, if it be thy blessed will, look down 
on thy poor servant this evening." Ap- 
pearing to be much spent with frequent 
speaking, he was told he was very short of 
breath, and had better lay as still and quiet 
as might be, on that account, to which he 
answered, " I cannot help acknowledging 
the many favours the Lord hath bestowed 
on me." 

And being then thought near his end, 
of which he seemed very sensible, he inti- 
mated his desire of taking leave of his near 
relations and others present, which was a 
very solemn and affecting scene, taking 
each by the hand and mostly calling them 
by name, as they came to the bedside, say- 
ing, " Farewell, I am going, the Lord's 
will be done." Last of all, came some of 



39 



his schoolmates, to whom he gave his hand* 
ill like manner, and expressing the same 
words, with which they were mostly much 
tendered. Then he lay still some time, 
as in sleep, but remained not long in that 
manner, before he asked for some drink, 
after which, he continued praying and 
praising the Lord, as long as his strength 
permitted, sometimes with a raised voice 
so as to be heard in the adjoining room ; his 
strength gradually declining, drawing his 
breath shorter and shorter, till he drew his 
last, he departed without struggle, sigh, or 
groan, the 1 3th of the Third month, 1790, 
aged 14 years. 

Tims died this youth, exhibiting in his 
last moments such fortitude of mind, and 
such resignation to the Lord's will, in hope 
of a glorious immortality, as may serve 
for an example, not only to the young and 
rising generation, but also to those fiirthc 
advanced in life. 



40 



The Testimony of Stephen and Amy Moli, 
concerning their daughter Abigail. Ap- 
proved by the Monthly Meeting of West- 
bury. 

FROM very early life, she manifested 
more than common stability and circum- 
spection in life and conduct, which evident- 
ly increased as she ripened in age and ex- 
perience, and being of good natural talents, 
and having a lively sense of religion, she 
was truly amiable ; and although in con- 
versation she was prudent and guarded, 
yet her intimate friends and acquaintance 
enjoyed an agreeable cheerfulness and af- 
fability in her company, which her modesty 
and diffidence deprived those of, who were 
not so well acquainted with her ; she was 
loving and dutiful to her parents, and ten- 
derly affectionate to her friends, and in- 
deed to all with whom she had to do ; very 
charitable to the poor, and sympathizing 
with the afflicted ; she was exemplary in 



41 



attending meetings, and encouraged the 
rest of the family in that important duty ; 
many times, whilst in health, expressing 
concern when she observed the vouth or 
those more advanced in age, deviate from 
their religious profession. About three 
years before her decease, she was brought 
under bodily indisposition, which indicated 
declining health; endeavours were used 
for the removal of her complaints, but 
they proved ineffectual ; during which 
time, she became more fully sensible of the 
insufficiency of all terrestrial enjoyments, 
and more weaned from the love and pur- 
suit of them, and her affections were in- 
creasingly placed on things permanent and 
eternal. About three months before her 
death, she was taken with inward bleeding, 
and having frequent turns thereof, her 
strength was soon so reduced as to confine 
her mostly to her bed, a circumstance suf- 
ficient to ■■ have alarmed a mind destitute of 
heavenly treasure ; but she appeared so 
settled on the unshaken foundation, as to 
receive w T ith humble acquiescence, any 

4* 



42 



tfiing that the great Author of her being 
saw meet to dispense unto her ; which was 
evident, not only from the weighty and 
sensible expressions that dropped from her 
lips, but the composure of mind during the 
time of her great weakness of body : far 
from complaining of the Lord's dealing 
thus with her ; but on the contrary, was 
enabled thankfully to commemorate his 
goodness, care, and kindness to her, in be- 
ing with her, and preserving her all her life 
long. The following are some of the ex- 
pressions that she uttered during the course 
of her illness ; many others she expressed, 
but not being taken down in writing, they 
cannot now be recollected. On her first 
raising blood, her mother being with her, 
seemed much alarmed ; she calmly said, 
" Do not be frightened, mother," and after- 
ward expressed the composure she felt at 
the time, and that this alarming symptom 
was not unexpected to her, and signified 
she thought it might be in best wisdom if 
she should be taken away in her youth, 
and removed from the many temptations 



43 



that are in the world. Her mother asked 
her if she thought she should recover ; she 
replied, " Oh, dear mother, it is what 1 
have not expected this great while ; I de- 
sire, that both thou and I may be given up, 
and that I may go as my dear sisters have 
gone, but I feel no way anxious about it," 

Notwithstanding her state of resignation, 
she was tried with poverty of spirit, her 
sense of which, she expressed in these 
words : " It often hath been, and is at this 
season, a gloomy time with me ; although 
I hope and desire to have a full assurance 
of reconciliation with the Father before I 
go hence." 

She would often speak of the necessity 
of having our accounts prepared, and peace 
made before we come upon a sick bed, and 
that she found enough to do to bear her 
bodily infirmities ; saying, " I have seen 
the necessity of such a preparation since I 
have been laid on this bed of affliction : I 
believe I have been as orderly as young 
people in common : I have endeavoured 
to be careful in my conversation and con- 



44 



duct ; I know not of any thing in my way, 
yet I do not feel that quiet I long for." 
She one day thus expressed herself : " I 
do not think that I have all this to bear on 
my own account, hut it may be for the 
good of some that may see me. If it is 
right, a release would be very acceptable, 
yet I sometimes fear that I am too anxious 
for it ; I hope my patience will hold out 
to the end." 

At times, she mentioned, that her great- 
est concern in bidding adieu to this world, 
was the leaving her parents in their lonely 
situation. To a near connexion and inti- 
mate, she thus expressed herself: "Thou 
seest me a poor weak creature, it seems as 
if my continuance here would be short, I 
desire when I am gone, thou wouldst re- 
member my dear mother, and be as a 
daughter to her ; her friend being much 
affected, and saying, " I shall greatly 
miss thee," she replied, " I believe thou 
wilt; we have loved each other well, but 
I hope we shall soon meet again, for it is 
but a little while the longest liver can 



45 



flitay." When in health, she was exem- 
plary in the plainness and simplicity of 
her dress, and during her sickness, express- 
ed how little worth while it was to be 
anxious about dressing these bodies ; add- 
ing, " At such a time as this, the very 
grasshopper is a burden." And to a phy- 
sician that visited her, she said. " Thou 
hast frequent opportunities of seeing per- 
sons in my situation, mayest thou improve 
thereby, and not put off thy day's work 
until such a time as this. I find it enough 
for me to bear the affliction of body, w ith- 
cut the anxiety of having my peace to 
make." 

Being now very weak and iow 5 she could 
bear but little company, and expressed a 
desire that her patience might endure to 
the end, and a hope that she might have aa 
easy passage. The day befc ner death- 
she said, that thinking seriously last night 
whether it might not be her last, it ran 
through her mind, if it is so, all Will be 
well. About the tenth hour, on Firstday 
evening, the family retired to bed, leavin 






4G 



her aunt and cousin with her ; she soon 
fell into a sweet sleep for about half an 
hour, then awoke, and asked for something, 
which was done for her ; she afterwards 
lay in a gentle slumber for awhile, and 
then revived, but soon complained of be- 
ing very hot, and desired more air ; more 
was admitted into the room ; notwithstand- 
ing which, she said there was a great heat in 
her stomach, and desired to have the win- 
dows and doors opened ; she then asked 
her aunt, if there was not a change in her; 
who replied, she thought there was ; and 
asked, if she would have her parents call- 
ed ; she said, " I believe it is best," and 
immediately after, raised herself in the 
bed, lifted up her feeble hands, and al- 
though previous to that time, she had been 
so weak, that it was with difficulty she 
could be understood ; she was now enabled 
to raise her voice so as to be distinctly 
heard in almost any of the different rooms 
in the house, and in frequent acknowledg- 
ment and thanksgiving, said nearly as fol- 
lows : " Oh 3 Lord ! thy will and not mine 



47 



be done. I humbly acknowledge thy great 
and merciful kindness, in being near at 
such a time as this;" and so continued 
rendering praises and thanks in many ex- 
pressions, which cannot be remembered, 
until her father and mother entered the 
door, when she said, " My dear parents, 
come in ; my dear mother, come and sit 
down by me ; all be still, and mourn not ; 
for the time is now come, that I have a full 
assurance of soon joining the heavenly 
host. v Her mother said, she had believed 
that it w r ould be so, before she departed. 
She then said, " Oh, the love, the joy and 
sweet peace that flows through my soul, 
more than I have ever experienced be- 
fore ;'' feelingly mentioning these words of 
Christ, " Peace I leave with you, my peace 
I give unto you ; not as the world giveth f 
v give I unto you ;" and much more that 
cannot be recollected. She desired to be 
remembered to some of her friends, naming 
one of her cousins particularly, saying, 
" I wish him well from my very heart," and 
gave her love to all her dear friends. She 



48 



then said, u Oh, Lord ! I acknowledge thy 
great kindness in being near me all my life 
long ; to thee I commit my body, soul and 
spirit;" and then laid herself down, but soon 
after asked for her little brother, and said 
to him, " Farewell, dear Henry, be a good 
boy, and 1 desire thou mayest be a good 
man. 5 ' Then sweetly and tenderly bidding 
all present, " Farewell, farewell," she re- 
moved the pillow from under her head, 
and in a few moments after, in peace and 
quietude, breathed her last, a little before 
the twelfth hour at night, on the 14th of 
Sixth month, 1795, in the twenty-second 
year of her age. 

The following was found amongst her 
papers, Ninth month, 12th, 1793. Twen- 
ty years end this day, since the day that 
gave me birth ; may I ever be thankful to 
that hand who gave me a being, and hath 
hitherto showered unmerited blessings on 
my life. Ninth month, 12th, 1794. This 
being my birthday, I have been reflecting, 
how short the space of time seems since 
12th of Ninth month, 1793 ; yet how many 



49 



within the small circle of my acquaintance, 
are since numbered with the silent dead, 
and removed to the house appointed for all 
the living; yea, some of the dearest compan- 
ions of my life have received the solemn 
summons ; does not all this, in the loudest 
language, bid me also prepare ? Eleventh 
month, 16th, 1794. Firstday evening, 
without any other company except my 
dear parents, with my eye on my book, but 
my mind turned to look back and take a re- 
trospective view r on the different situation 
of our family but a little while back, when 
I also had the agreeable company of two 
dear sisters, who are now numbered with 
the silent dead ; it was an inducement to 
reflect, how uncertain all these lower 
enjoyments are. May my mind, more 
than it ever hath been, be fixed upon an 
object lastingly durable, when all human 
comforts and consolation will be unavail- 
ing. 



:j 



The Testimony of East Hoosack Monthly 
Meeting, concerning Robert Nesbitt. 

HE was born in Coultershaw, near 
Edinburgh, in Scotland, the 22d of Eighth 
month, 1744, and carefully educated by 
his parents among the Presbyterians. By 
his own account, his understanding was at 
times illuminated so as to discover divers 
inconsistencies in the principles of his 
teachers, but not duly attending to those 
discoveries, and placing confidence in those 
he esteemed his superiors, he did not at 
that time witness the gracious purposes in- 
tended by such visitations. 

About the 22d year of his age, which 
was soon after the decease of his father, he 
left his native country, and came to Bos- 
ton, in New-England, in the capacity of a 
servant ; from thence, he went to Nova- 
Scotia, where he continued some time ; be- 
ing discharged by his master, about the 
27th year of his age, he came to this place, 
and settled ; he often expressed his admi- 



51 



ration of the kindness of divine Provi- 
dence, in preserving him from the gross- 
vices of those among whom he lived ; and 
also, that the care of his parents in his ed- 
ucation was a benefit to him. He mani- 
fested himself to be a zealous young man, 
and strongly attached to the principles of 
his education, but living among Friends, 
and having an opportunity of perusing some 
of their writings, he became acquainted 
with their principles, and was much affect- 
ed w 7 ith the account of their patient suffer- 
ings in times of persecution, which induced 
him to attend some of our meetings for 
worship, and by yielding to the precious 
visitations of divine grace in his mind, he 
became convinced of the Truth, as pro^ 
fessed by us, and was received a member 
of our religious Society, and by a steady 
attention to the dictates thereof, he expe- 
rienced a growth in grace, and received a 
gift in the ministry, and became qualified to 
labour in the Church. On the establishment 
of a Monthly Meeting in these parts, he 
evidenced a careful attention and conceit* 



52 



fur the support of our Christian discipline, 
and although his outward circumstances 
were small, yet he seldom missed attend- 
ing the Quarterly and Monthly Meetings 
of which he was a member, notwithstand- 
ing most of them were held at a consider- 
able distance from his habitation. The 
latter end of the year 1782, with the con- 
currence of the Monthly Meeting, he en- 
tered on a religious visit to Friends in New- 
England, and travelled on foot nearly as 
far eastward as any Friends were settled ; 
and on his return, produced very satisfac- 
tory accounts of the unity of Friends with 
his services. 

Having passed through many humilia- 
ting trials, his mind was much weaned from 
the wisdom and pursuits of the world, and 
he often earnestly exhorted his friends and 
others to beware of covetousness and those 
aspiring inclinations, which prevent a 
growth in the Truth, and disqualify for 
religious Services. He was a good exam- 
ple of patience and contentment, in his 
low situation in the world. In his public 



53 



ministry, he was often led to treat of the 
excellency of the gospel dispensation of 
love and peace, with clearness and perti- 
nency, in the authority of Truth, and was 
a deeply exercised labourer in the con- 
cerns of Society, and the support of our 
Christian discipline. He manifested much 
concern and sympathy with persons in af- 
fliction, either of body or mind, and we 
believe his visits to them were often use- 
ful. From the time of his early exercises 
among us, he was much affected with the 
distressed situation of that part of the Af- 
rican race held in slavery; and refrained 
from the use of articles furnished by their 
labour ; and endeavoured to prevail on his 
friends to avoid contributing to the op- 
pression of that people. In the year 1 791, 
he attended the Yearly Meeting in Phila- 
delphia, and divers other meetings in Penr^ 
sylvania and New-Jersey ; and by ac- 
counts received from thence, we find,, that 
in this visit, he had extensive service, espe- 
cially in Philadelphia, 



54 



He was taken sick the latter part of the 
Seventh month, 1795, and endured a pain- 
ful illness, which continued about eleven 
weeks ; in the course of which, he was at 
times much tried with poverty of spirit, 
yet his mind appeared to be supported 
above the fear of death, and he desired his 
wife and children to give him up freely. 
He uttered divers weighty expressions ; 
some of which being preserved, are in 
substance as follows, viz. Speaking of his 
pains, he said, " I believe I have not one 
to spare, they are so necessary to wean my 
affections from things below ; for although 
I have lived much loose from the world,: 
yet had I to live my time over again, I 
believe I should live more so.Y The dis- 
tressed situation of the African race in 
slavery, much accompanied his mind; often 
erying out, u O, the poor negroes! the 
poor negroes V? He often mentioned his 
thankfulness, for the very kind attention 
of his friends and neighbours, in the time 
of trial. One meeting day, a friend and 
Ms wife made him a visit, fye said, " I be- 



5Z 



iieve we may have a meeting here/ 5 and 
desired his family and others present, to sit 
down ; after a considerable time of silence, 
he desired to be raised up, and though in 
the time of stillness he was very faint, he 
now seemed to be relieved, and said, " Not- 
withstanding this my outward man is very 
low, my inward man is strong ; yea, it is a- 
strong as ever : the love of the gospel that 
I feel is as strong as ever ; not only to those 
here and hereaway, but the love of the 
gospel that I feel reaeheth over sea and 
laud, I believe the Lord, who has been 
my support through my sickness so far/ 
will be a father to the fatherless, and a hus- 
band to my poor widow, as their trust is 
in him. 5 ' At several times, he communi- 
cated weighty advice to his children, and 
desired;, that when the time of his depar- 
ture came, they would sit down and wait 
upon the Lord, who giveth life, and taketh 
it away. He desired his eldest son, not to 
engage himself in the affairs of govern- 
ment ; expressing his belief, that he him- 
self had been rightly withheld from taking 



?>& 



an active part therein, and was now thank- 
ful for it. In the beginning of the even- 
ing in which he departed this life, being 
asked if he was sensible that he was going r 
he answered, " Yes ; and I am glad of it." 
He was confident, that the time of his de- 
parture grew very near; expressed his 
thankfulness, that the hiccoughs had left 
him, which he had desired to be relieved 
from ; and requested his family and others 
to be still : being offered something to 
take, he again desired them to be still ; 
saying, " Enough has been done for my 
body :" after some time, his friends being 
desirous to do what they could for him, he 
replied, " You may lay me as I shall lie 
when I am laid out," which were nearly, 
his last words ; after which, he lay very 
still to the last, and breathed apparently 
easy. He departed this life very quietly, 
about the ninth hour in the evening of the 
16th of the Tenth month, 1795, aged 51 
years, and a minister about 18 years* 



57 



i Memorial frbm the Creek Monthly Meet- 
ing, in Nine-partners, concerning our 
friend Tiddeman Hull. 

HE was born in the State of Rhode- 
Island. His parents were John and Da- 
maras Hull, who were members of our re- 
ligious Society ; and in the early part of 
his life, by their consent, he removed and 
settled within the verge of Purchase 
Monthly Meeting ; where, and at New- 
York, he resided until the year 1777, when 
he removed with his family within the 
limits of this Meeting, then a part of Nine- 
partners Monthly Meeting, and became a 
useful member thereof, being exemplary 
in the diligent attendance of our religious 
Meetings, and encouraging his family 
therein. In the year 1781, he appeared 
in the ministry, and was serviceable there- 
in ; the young and rising generation par- 
ticularly claimed his attention ; unto 
many of whom he was endeared by his 
tender and fatherly advice. He often 



58 



pressingly entreated those unto whom he 
ministered, to close in with the day of 
their visitation ; and sometimes in private 
conversation was heard to say, that he had 
nothing more to regret, than that he did not 
in his youthful days give up to walk in the 
paths of piety and virtue. He was divers 
times acceptably engaged in visiting fami- 
lies within the compass of this Monthly 
Meeting, a service he appeared to be well 
qualified for ; and frequently visited the 
adjacent Meetings, particularly those new- 
ly set up. He often not only advised it, 
but was himself in the practice ol retiring 
in stillness ; and at times convened his 
family upon the same important occasion. 
In the vear 1793, soon after his return 
from a religious visit in the western settle- 
ments of this State, he was brought very 
low by a fit of sickness, his life not being 
expected, either by himself or his friends, 
to be prolonged ; at which time, his faith 
appeared unshaken ; saying, " My confi- 
dence is in the Lord, and in him will I 
trust : I feel his presence to be near, which 



59 



is above all, and can rejoice in tribulation. 13 
At another time, his children being by his 
bedside, he, looking upon them, said, " If 
it is the Lord's will that I shall go now ; I 
am entirely willing ;" soon after, with an 
audible voice, " Oh, Lord ! be graciously 
pleased to take me to thyself, or endue me 
with patience to bear my pains ; yet not 
my will but thine be done : try me any 
way that will be most agreeable to thy holy 
will 55 

The same day, divers friends coming to 
see him, he said, " This is a hard struggle 
between life and death ; I do not know 
which will have the victory; but, let which 
will, I believe I shall be the Lord's ;" with 
much instructive advice and counsel to ma- 
ny that came to see him during his illness : 
from this sickness he gradually recovered. 

He was taken ill of his last sickness, the 
18th of the Ninth month, whilst sitting in 
our Monthly Meeting ; in which, he mani- 
fested the same fervency of spirit in his 
religious labours that had hitherto accom- 
panied them. In the evening, he signified 



60 



to some of his family, he believed that wa- 
the last meeting he should attend. His 
disorder proving to be the dysentery, his 
strength failed fast. On Fourthday morn- 
ing following, after a wearisome night, he 
expressed a desire for stillness, and an easy 
passage, as he believed his time here would 
not be long. Soon after, being more free 
from pain, divers friends being present, he 
feaid, that at the last Monthly Meeting he 
attended, he thought at the time, it would 
be the last ; and that he felt his mind im- 
pressed with something to deliver, but did 
not, for the want of an opportunity ; which 
was, that Friends in all appointments in 
the Church, be careful not to appoint such 
as were in the practice of sleeping in meet- 
ings, referring to the frequent advice of 
the Yearly Meeting on that subject. Then 
addressing himself to his youngest son, he 
gave him much instructive counsel and 
advice. After which, laying still awhile, 
he was fervently engaged in prayer, that 
the Lord would be graciously pleased to 
be near in this trying time, and that he 



61 

would remember Friends of the little 
meeting to which he belonged, that the ex- 
tendings of divine regard might be to his 
family, and that they with Friends might 
be kept as in the hollow of the Lord's 
hand. After which, his disorder being 
very sore upon him, he expressed but lit- 
tle ; though, at times, he was engaged in 
prayer, and in the expression of a few 
words of love and tenderness to such as 
came to see him, bearing his pains with 
Christian patience, waiting for the time to 
eome, that he might be relieved from them. 
He departed this life, on the 28th of the 
Ninth month, 1795, aged about 62 years. 



6 



02 



A Testimony of the Monthly Meeting of 
Westbury, concerning Rachael Willets, 
late the wife of Joseph Willets. 

13HE was born at Westbury, on Long- 
Island, in the year 1742, and received her 
education among Friends, In early life, 
she was favoured with the precious visita- 
tions of divine love ; whereby, she was in 
good measure preserved from the follies 
and vanities incident to youth. Some time 
after her first marriage, which was to Silas 
Hicks, she became more closely engaged 
for her soul's peace, and through submis- 
sion to the operation of that power which 
had graciously visited her, she became not 
only an example of piety, but received a 
gift in the ministry ; which, though not 
extensive, was acceptable and edifying. 
She was a good example of plainness, sim- 
plicity, and innocency in life and conver- 
sation ; and was often concerned to en- 
courage the practice of retirement and 
waiting upon the Lord in families, being 



63 



herself a good example therein. Some 
years before her decease, being afflicted 
with a disorder which reduced her low, she 
at times underwent much pain and distress 
of body. She was preserved in patience 
and resignation, appearing in a peaceful 
frame, and signifying how hard it would 
have been if she had her work then to do. 
She was much relieved from this disorder, 
yet continued weakly, and at length settled 
into a gradual decline ; during which time, 
she appeared in a sweet and resigned frame, 
filled with love to mankind at large. To- 
wards her close, she was frequently en- 
gaged in prayer and praises to the Lord ; 
who, she said, had been with her from her 
youth, and had been her support in all trials 
to that day ; and was enlarged in counsel 
and advice to those who came to see her ; 
pressing upon them to do their day's work 
in the day time, that they might be pre- 
pared for such an awful season; and not 
put off that great and necessary work until 
a sick bed or dying hour. Some of her 
expressions being preserved, are in sub 
stance as follows : 



u 



When some friends were with her, after 
sitting awhile in silence, she said, she felt the 
presence of the Lord to be with her in that 
trying time, which w T as comfortable beyond 
what words could express ; saying, it was 
a great comfort to have something to bear 
up in times of trial, and that she felt en- 
tirely easy, having a satisfactory assurance 
of a happy change, and that she did not 
speak it boastingly, but with a thankful 
heart, 

At another time, a friend being with her, 
after a time of silence, wherein she seemed 
much affected and tendered by the power of 
Truth, she said, it is a great help when we 
can mutually feel that love which flows as 
a river ; and added, " the Lord is strength 
in weakness, riches in poverty, and a pre- 
sent help in every time of need : let us 
look to him." At another time, she said, 
she felt nothing to trouble her, nor any 
thing then to do, but to wait upon and 
praise the Lord ; saying, " Praises and 
thanksgiving be given to his holy name 
for evermore," 



b, 



Having in the course of her life, mani- 
fested great concern for her children, she 
divers times in her illness expressed her 
desire that they might not suffer their 
minds to be captivated with the pleasures 
and profits of this world, but that they 
might choose the Lord for their portion, 
and serve him faithfully, and thereby make 
their calling and election sure ; and hav- 
ing done their day's work, might feel the 
satisfaction she then did, and be enabled 
to lay down their heads in peace. 

At another time, speaking to a friend 
who came to see her, she said, she had a 
few words of encouragement for him ; that 
he had begun a good work, and desired he 
might be faithful ; saying, there is much 
need of labourers, for too many have set- 
tled down at ease ; and that he might be 
enabled to help bear the ark of the cove- 
nant upon his shoulders, and journey for- 
ward, when those that now bear it are re- 
moved from works to rewards* A friend 
taking leave of her, she said, she hoped 
her time here would be short ; that she 

6* 



m 



was ready and willing to go ; and soon 
broke forth in prayer and praises to the 
Lord, who, she said, had been with her all 
her life long, and had not left her now, who 
is worthy to be waited on and praised for 
ever. A few hours before her departure? 
she prayed that the Lord would be with 
her in her most trying moments, and 
support her as in the hollow of his hand ; 
and soon after, quietly departed, like one 
falling asleep, on the 20th of Seventh 
month, 1797, aged 55 years, and we have 
no doubt is entered into the rest prepared 
for the righteous 



67 



A Testimony of the Monthly Meeting oj 
New-York, concerning Joseph Dela- 
plaine. 



FROM a feeling sense of the loss the 
church hath sustained, and we in an especial 
manner, who have ofttimes been edified bv 
his ministry and pious example ; we are 
desirous of preserving some account of 
his life and religious servicer; more espe- 
cially, as the lively and instructive remarks 
made about the closing period of his time, 
may not only prove profitable to us of the 
present, but also to succeeding generations. 
Although he travelled but little, he labour- 
ed much, in word and doctrine, and was 
often eminently favoured in the exercise 
of his ministerial gift, evidencing the au- 
thority with which his communications 
were accompanied, and that his mind was 
fervently devoted to promote the cause of 
righteousness on earth. 

It appears, that he was born in the city 
of New-York, in the.year 1725, of religious 



S3 



parents, Joshua and Esther Delaplaine, 
whose memory is also precious ; the former 
having for many years filled the station of 
an elder in the Church, with much useful- 
ness, and we have reason to believe endea- 
voured to train up his son, both by example 
and precept, in the nurture and admonition 
of the Lord ; but being of a volatile dis- 
position, and attracted by the alluring and 
seducing pleasures of this world, he de- 
viated from the purity and simplicity of 
the gospel ; although he did not long pur- 
sue the paths of vanity and folly, before 
he w 7 as graciously met with, and awakened 
to a sense of his dangerous situation, and 
of the necessity of a change ; and in hu- 
mility submitting thereto, he became pre- 
pared for further manifestations of the di- 
vine will, and received a gift in the minis- 
try about the 25th year of his age. 

He was a man of a strong mind, and be- 
ing early made acquainted with the divine 
principle, operating upon his heart, was led 
to embrace a life of great self-denial and 
abstractedness from the world, and being 



6? 



forcibly impressed with the conviction of 
the danger and evils attendant on the pur- 
suit of wealth and worldly aggrandizement, 
he not only carefully avoided the means 
which led thereto, but supported a testi- 
mony for the purity and simplicity of the 
gospel, and was often led to mourn on ac- 
count of the degeneracy of many of the 
professed followers of Christ in these re- 
spects. 

He was a charitable and sympathizing 
friend to the poor and afflicted, and distin- 
guished for his alms and benevolent offices 
towards those of this description. 

For some years before his decease, he 
grew feeble and infirm, yet he retained his 
faith and love to the last, and continued to 
labour both in the ministry and in the dis- 
cipline of the Church. His last illness 
was attended with much bodily conflict, 
but his mind was mercifully borne up 
above it all, as is evident from the senti- 
ments he expressed, some of which being 
preserved, are as follows : 



& 



a 



Fifth month, 17th, 1799— " I expect rfiy 
peace is made ; I am only waiting to enter 
into rest ;" and after a little pause, he said 
to several of his friends present, "Love 
silent meetings : silence was the ground 
upon which our predecessors first moved, 
in order to worship God. A slavish fear 
has sometimes presented itself to my mind, 
lest the flock should sustain a loss through 
the lack of vocal instruments ; but as I 
have dwelt in pure resignation to the di- 
vine will, great has been my peace. Let 
life be the spring of all your movements 
in the Church : generally speaking, it hath 
been my concern to wait for it to put me 
forth in the service thereof." His bodily 
pain being great, he acknowledged the 
Lord's wisdom therein, and expressed his 
resignation ; several times saying, he was 
ready and willing to leave this world, wait- 
ing the Lord's time, that he might join the 
heavenly host in adoration, praise, and 
thanksgiving. At another time, being in 
great pain, he said, " Oh ! the wisdom of 
the Creator: not only his judgments, but 
his ways are past finding out." 



71 



26th. Being recovered from fainting, he 
said, " In all these extremities of pain and 
of fainting fits, the power of divine love is 
over all." 

27th. This evening, he earnestly desired 
his son io seek the Lord whilst he was to 
be found, mentioning the great concern he 
had often felt for his well being, and that 
he felt peace in the discharge of his duty 
towards him in time past ; that many had 
slighted divine visitations to their souls ; 
and the great danger there w r as in putting 
off the necessary preparation for death 
until a time of sickness : and then said, 
u Wait, Oh ! my soul, in patience, the 
Lord's time ;" at another time, " A little 
longer — the end of all things is at hand, 
and I am endeavouring to fix mine eye 
upon the object of the saint's faith." 

30th. " You see the distress I am in/" 5 
it was answered, yes, and we feel for thee, 
and cannot help thee, he replied, " the true 
spirit of sympathy is internal, it is seen 
but little, and felt much." 

31st To a Friend: " the Lord in gFa- 






v ious, his promises are yea and amen for 



ever." 



Sixth month, 1st. Something being pro- 
posed by way of medicine, he mentioned 
the improbability of being able to endure 
the operation, saying, " I would rather 
pass quietly away, but if you (meaning his 
family) cannot be easy without trying, I 
am willing to submit." To a friend who 
visited him, he said, " My mind enjoys 
much sweetness, but my body is in great 
distress — I should have been glad to have 
been with you at the late annual Meeting, 
but it has been ordered otherwise in the 
wisdom of God, to whom be all praise ; 
his mercy endureth forever." 

4th. To his son and son-in-law : " We 
slip away sometimes very suddenly, and if 
it should be so with me, tell a friend (whom 
he named) to make for me a plain, decent, 
pine coffin :' after a little pause, he said 
earnestly, u Do you understand me ?" he 
was answered, yes. 

6th. He broke forth in prayer in the 
following manner : " If it be consistent 



73 



with thy will, Oh ! God of all grace, mercy 
and love, put an end to this distress :"" 
what followed could not be understood, 
his voice, through his great weakness, be- 
ing very low. Afterwards, he spoke in- 
telligibly, " Am I not going the way of 
all flesh V It was answered, it appears so : 
he then said, "Lord, hasten the time £* 
and after a pause, thus : " Surely I ajp 
the clay and he the potter ; our Lord and 
Master assigns no more than he abilitates 
to bear ; his wars are all in wisdom. ?: At 
another time, addressing himself to a per- 
son he had sent for, he said, * I sent for 
thee to take leave of thee once more ; per- 
haps this may be the last, though the hour 
is hid from me, but the Lord's time is the 
best time. I onlv wait his coming. I de- 
sire and am favoured in a good degree to 
possess my soul in patience. Oh, how the 
love of God has flowed in my heart to- 
wards some young in years, compared with 
mvself, and the breathing of my sold has 
been for them, that they may keep in the 
simplicity, not suffering the example of 

7 



74 



others to cause them to stumble at the 
cross of Christ, for a dreadful day will 
come upon all the careless, and those who 
in their conduct deny him before men." 
At another time, he remarked, " I have had 
a testimony to bear against little things, 
(as manv call them,") I have been faithful 
thereto, and I feel peace, substantial 
peace." 

In concluding this narrative of the life 
and end of this our beloved friend, how 
forcible are the expressions of the royal 
Psalmist ! " The salvation of the righteous 
is of the Lord, he is their strength in the 
time of trouble." 

He departed this life, the 12th of Sixth 
month, 1799, in the 74th year of his age, 
and the 49th of his ministry. 



75 



The Testimony of the Monthly Meeting of 
Jericho, concerning Mary Willis. 



It is an encouraging evidence of the suf- 
ficiency of the grace of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, that those who abide under its bles- 
sed influence, are thereby enabled to bear 
with Christian fortitude the varied trials 
and afflictions incident to this probationa- 
ry state. This w T as exemplified in the life 
of our ancient and worthy friend. 

It appears that her parents John and 
Mary Fry, were removed by death when 
she w 7 as about two years of age, and that 
she was piously inclined from her child- 
hood, and early regarding the visitations 
of Divine Love, was brought into contri- 
tion and humility, and witnessed her mind 
prepared for the more full reception of the 
Truth, in the love of it ; and she said that 
it had been to her a pearl of great price. 

She entered into the marriage state with 
our well esteemed friend Samuel Willis, 
to whom she was a true helpmeet, and ten- 



76 



der, sympathizing companion, in temporal 
and spiritual concerns. 

She was blessed with a large family of 
children, and endued with soundness of 
/judgment and discretion in their manage- 
ment and instruction ; appearing to live 
under a daily concern to bring them up in 
the nurture and admonition of the Lord, 
clearly manifesting, that she had no great- 
er joy than to see her children walking m 
the Truth : and her care, through divine 
aid, we believe has been a blessing to them, 
and is remembered with gratitude. She 
was of a modest countenance and solid de- 
portment ; of a mild and affable disposi- 
tion, and her discreet conduct commanded 
respect and ready obedience from her chil- 
dren and those under her care, and tended 
to promote love and harmony in the fami- 
ly. She manifested a steady concern for 
the promotion of the cause of righteous- 
ness, being a good example in the attend- 
ance of religious meetings, of a reverent 
and tender spirit, waiting in humility on 
the Lord, She was concerned for the 



77 



preservation of good order, and very use- 
ful in managing the concerns of society, 
heinu indeed a mother in Israel. 

When by age and infirmity she was pre- 
vented from attending meetings, she mani- 
fested that her zeal and concern were not 
abated ; being often engaged to encour- 
age others to that important duty : and 
many times expressed, that her love to her 
friends and the cause of Truth continued, 
greatly desiring its prosperity, and that the 
youth in a particular manner, by obedi- 
ence to the operation of Divine Grace, 
might be prepared for usefulness in their 
generation. She was charitable to the 
poor, and a sympathizing friend to the 
afflicted. 

The three last years of her life, she was 
mostly confined at home, through bodily 
weakness, during which time, she was fa- 
voured with patience and resignation, 
which, with her innocent and meek deport- 
ment, ministered instruction, and her me- 
mory is precious. 

Towards the close of life, her mind 

7 * 



J"» 



8 



appeared to be more and more gathered 
into the heavenly inclosure ; often express- 
ing her readiness and desire to quit this 
earthly tabernacle ; saying, her day's 
work was done, and that she knew not 
why she was continued after she was inca- 
pable, through infirmity and old age, of bet- 
ing any longer useful : nevertheless, she 
said, she was resigned to the Divine dispo- 
sal, being willing to wait the Lord's time. 
Her illness was short, and she appeared to 
be sensible previous thereto, that her end 
was near, and when the time came, appear- 
ing to have nothing to do but to die, she 
departed in much quietude and stillness, 
being at peace with all, and we have no 
doubt is entered into the mansions of eter- 
nal blessedness. 
She departed this life at Jericho, the 28th 
of 5th month, 1800, in the 88th year of her 
age, and her remains were attended to the 
grave bj her friends and neighbours, her 
children and their "descendants, of four 
generations. 



73 



^4 Testimony of the Monthly Meeting oj 
Jericho, concerning John Wkitson. 

He was born the 22d of the 12th month, 
1717-18,in the compass of Bethpage partic- 
ular Meeting, and was educated in the prin- 
ciples of Truth as professed by us, and early 
manifested his love thereto, being of an or- 
derly life and conversation, and religiously 
inclined from his tender years, as appears 
by accounts received from those who 
were his intimates from his youth. By 
the seasoning influence of grace, as he 
grew in years he grew in experience, and 
became a good example in the church, be- 
ing a man of a meek and quiet spirit, and 
was appointed in pretty early life to the 
station of an Elder. Although he was 
seldom active in meetings for discipline, 
yet his solidity of countenance, and weight- 
iness of spirit in religious meetings, to- 
gether with his diligent attendance, and 
v general conduct through life, rendered his 
example useful and instructive. He was 
frequent in private retirement and often 



80 



called his family together to wait on the 
Lord. 

He was a good neighbour, an affection- 
ate husband, and tender father; careful in 
the education of his children, and appear- 
ed to be above all things desirous to see 
them walking in the Truth. In his ad- 
vanced age, particularly the two last years 
of his life, he was mostly confined at 
home with an asthmatic complaint, and 
other bodily infirmities, which he bore with 
patience, his countenance and deportment 
bespeaking great innocency and quiet re- 
signation to the divine will. Some of his 
expressions in his last illness, as they de- 
note the situation of his mind, are annexed. 

At several times, he expressed, that did 
he not feel an inward support, he could not 
quietly bear up under his great bodily af- 
fliction. At another time, he said, unless 
there should be an alteration, he could not 
continue long : and then said, that he who 
had mercy upon the thief on the cross, he 
hoped would receive him, although he felt 
himself unworthy. At another time, he 
said, he had a lingering disorder, but hoped 



ttl 



he shoitld pass through it with a quiet 
mind, and divers times mentioned the love 
he had for Friends, and desire for their ad- 
vancement in the Truth. Being visited 
by some friends, he expressed the satisfac- 
tion it was to have their company ; but 
added, " to have that peace that Christ 
gives to his followers, is to be preferred to 
any thing in this world :" and further said, 
V There formerly were many wars out- 
wardly, so there are many now inward- 
ly '; but if we keep on our watch, we shall 
have strength given to overcome the ene- 
my of our souls." After having rested 
better for some time than usual, he ex- 
pressed much thankfulness therefor, say- 
ing, it all comes from the great Giver of 
all good, both temporal and spiritual. 
One evening, being in great bodily dis- 
tress, he said, it is hard work, but hoped 
he should quietly submit to all, for it is no 
matter what we pass through here, if we 
do but enter the promised land, where the 
humble, contrite ones are received ; but if 
we have not a truly humble mind, we shall 
itever enter into the mansions of rest pre- 



82 



pared for the righteous. At another time/ 
he said, I have much desired to know the 
spirit of true prayer, for it is that only 
that will be acceptable in the divine sight. 
Oh, how good it is to be little in our own 
eyes, that our Maker may be our all in all ! 
He continued in this humble, resigned 
state, and in clearness of understanding, 
until the evening before he departed, when, 
for a short time, he appeared a little lost, 
but soon recovered himself again, and ex- 
pressed the great desire he had for the 
w r elfare of his grandchildren, receiving 
his last supper at the hands of one of them, 
with a pleasant countenance. And as he 
lived in peace and unity with his friends, 
and in good will to mankind in genera], so 
we believe he died in the same, departing 
this life, the 3d of Second month, 1804, 
aged nearly 86 years, and we doubt not 
but the testimony which the apostle was 
commanded to write, Rev. xiv. 13, will ap- 
ply to him : " Blessed are the dead, which 
die in the Lord, from henceforth ; yea, saith 
the Spirit, that they may rest from their 
labours, and their works do follow them." 



83 



A Testimony of Thomas Willis, concerning 
his late wife, Phebe Willis. 

INASMUCH as it hath pleased the 
Almighty to remove by death my beloved 
wife, Phebe Willis, I feel my mind en- 
gaged to give the following testimony 
concerning her. She was born in the vil- 
lage of Searingtown, in the township of 
Hempstead, on Long-Island, the 6th of the 
First month, 1773, of religious parents, 
John and Mary Searing, who educated her 
in the principles of Truth professed by 
Friends, of whose parental and religious 
care I have heard her speak with gratitude : 
and by the divine blessing thereon, she 
was in good measure preserved in inno- 
cence in her tender years : and through the 
visitations of divine love, and an early at- 
tention thereto, she was enabled to walk 
in a good degree of obedience to its dis- 
coveries, whereby she witnessed the in- 
comes of peace and consolation. She 
continued in this state while she stood in 



84 



obedience to the light and knowledge 
manifested : but as she grew in years, be- 
coming somewhat inclined to youthful 
vanity, she lost that precious communion 
with her Maker which she had before expe- 
rienced : but about the 18th year of her 
age, the visitations of divine love were so 
renewed as to make her sensible of her 
spiritual condition, under which, she be- 
came deeply humbled, and brought into a 
a state of contrition. 

She was now engaged often to retire 
alone, to wait upon the Lord, and strew 
her tears in secret before him, imploring 
mercy at his hand ; and in this profitable 
state of waiting upon God, she wa,s pre- 
pared for the more full reception of the 
Truth, in the love of it ; and the Lord was 
pleased to favour her with further mani- 
festations of his will ; and by faithfulness 
thereunto, she witnessed a growth in the 
Truth ; and being, in divine wisdom and 
mercy, led through many deep and 
humbling baptisms of spirit, she became 
measurably weaned from the love of the 



85 

perishing errjoyments of this life ; and in 
proportion thereto, her love was increased, 
and desires strengthened for that treasure 
which fadetb not away. 

About this time, we were united in the 
marriage covenant, and were favoured with 
a comfortable evidence of divine approba- 
tion therein. Her sense of the solemnity 
of the undertaking, I find amongst her 
papers, thus expressed : " My mind hath 
been humbled this day, under a sense of 
the renewed extension of divine regard, 
marvellously manifested at this time ; my 
spirit hath been bowed, and all within me 
humbled ; and this language raised in me : 
What shall I render to my God, for all his 
>enefits. Oh, may I become more like a 
vessel cleansed and purified from the dross 
and tin of this polluted world." 

She was of a modest countenance, and 
olid deportment ; cheerful in her manners, 
)ut careful not to exceed the bounds of 
Truth, which rendered her example in- 
structive and inviting. 

When under bodily infirmity, of which 

he had a large shaje, she was favoured 

8 



80 



with patience and resignation, being evi- 
dently supported in a belief, that as she 
submitted to the turning of the divine 
hand in every trying dispensation, all 
would work together for good. At one 
of these seasons, she was reduced so low, 
that for several months she was generally 
unable to speak audibly, and when, ac- 
cording to outward appearance, not likely 
to continue long, being one evening raised 
up in bed, after a little quiet, she, with a 
raised voice, uttered these words : " Glory, 
might, and majesty, are with thee, dearest 
Father ;" and presently added, " Behold, 
I stand as at the brink of the grave, and 
wait thy salvation :" and after a time of 
solemn silence, the family at her request 
all sitting around, she broke forth in sup- 
plication, thus : " Most holy Father, if it 
be thy will, raise up judges as at the first, 
and counsellors as at the beginning, and 
make thy vineyard fruitful, saith my soul." 
Being asked, if she had apprehensions of 
her time being short, she said, " I have not 
apprehended it to be so ; the Lord hath 
said unto me, Thou needest not a physi- 



1 



li 






87 

cian, I v. ill heal thee myself, and my words 
will I give unto thee : glory, honour, and 
praise, be ascribed unto him, saith my feeble 
soul. 5 A day or two after, having dropped 
some expressions in commemoration of 
the love and goodness of the Almighty to 
her, she added, " The Lord hath said unto 
me, thou shalt live and not die, with this 
injunction, keep thou my command." 

Having been deeply plunged into suf- 
fering, both inwardly and outwardly, in 
this sickness, she was now favoured 
with the incomes of divine love, to her 
comfort and consolation ; and from the 
fulness of this enjoyment, was enabled at 
times to tell unto others, with an audible 
voice, what the Lord had done for her ; 
and often administered caution and advice 
suitable to the states of such as visited 
her: and the language of invitation and 
encouragement to those in early life, flow- 
ed through her, as she sometimes express- 
ed, like a stream of love. She was loving 
and dutiful to her parents, tenderly affec- 
tionate to her brothers and sisters, watch- 
ing over them, and admonishing as she 



88 

found occasion ; a faithful and loving wife, 
and a true help-meet to me : her watchful 
care and concern for my preservation, with 
the sweetness and sincere affection which 
accompanied her admonitions, as well as 
her gentle reproofs, when necessary, re- 
main impressive on my mind. She was a 
sympathizing friend with the afflicted, in 
visiting whom, she often administered a 
word of exhortation or consolation ; dili- 
gent in the attendance of religious meet- 
ings, and when there, her reverent manner 
of sitting, was exemplary and instructive. 
She at times appeared in the ministry in 
meetings, and also often in families, I 
believe to the satisfaction, comfort, and 
edification of her friends ; and I have no 
doubt, her memory is precious to many of 
them; particularly to some contemporaries 
of her own sex, for whose welfare she ap- 
peared to be deeply engaged. 

A short time before her last illness, w r e 
visited her father and two of her sisters ; 
and on parting with them, her mind was 
seriously impressed; and in an opportu- 
nity of quiet setting, she remarked their 



89 

being once more together, reminding them 
of the uncertainty of their meeting again 
in mutability ; and that the main point 
was, to endeavour so to live as to be pre- 
pared to meet again in endless bliss, when 
time here shall be no more ; and further 
added, that she hoped we should be pre- 
served from murmuring or repining at the 
dispensations of Providence, however try- 
ing they might be. We returned home, 
and the evening following she was taken 
ill with a sickness which, in less than a 
week, terminated her existence in the body. 
As it had been her daily concern, to live 
in the state of preparation which she had 
so lately recommended, she was not alarm- 
ed at the approach of death. The disorder 
in its latter stage became very powerful, 
and at times deprived her of reason and 
speech ; yet at intervals she was favoured 
with them, when she appeared clearly sen- 
sible of her approaching dissolution, and 
her mind was covered with an awful sense 
of its solemnity. Two of her sisters com- 
ing to see her, on the fifth day of her ill- 
ness, she appeared glad to see them, and 

8 * 



90 

desired them to keep near her ; saying, 
they had but very little time to be togeth- 
er, for she was near going ; and at several 
times, gave them counsel and advice. The 
ensuing evening, appearing to be sensible 
that death was approaching, she called 
several of her nearest connexions to her, 
and in tender endeared affection, embraced 
them, as taking her last leave, endeavour- 
ing to communicate something to them, 
which, by reason of great weakness and 
difficulty of utterance, was not clearly 
understood * after which, the force of her 
disorder deprived her of her understand- 
ing, and she expired in the morning fol- 
lowing, the 30th of Sixth month, 1804, 
aged 31 years. 

By her removal, I feel my loss to be 
great ; yet I am comforted in a belief, that 
she hath laid down her head in peace, and 
that her immortal spirit is at rest with the 
Father, having received the blessed an- 
swer, " Well done, good and faithful ser- 
vant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." 

THOMAS WILLIS. 



91 



The Testimony of Abial Gijford and Jo- 
anna, his wife, concerning their daughter 
Joanna, 

THIS our daughter never gave lati- 
tude to youthful inclinations, which lead 
into undue liberties, as many do ; and as 
she grew in years, she experienced a happy 
advancement in the way of the Lord's re- 
quirings, and became engaged vocally to 
espouse the cause of Truth in meetings for 
religious worship, which was acceptable to 
her friends. She did not long enjoy her 
health, but soon fell into a gradual decline, 
during which, she uttered many comforta- 
ble and seasonable expressions, and gave 
advice to the youth and others, which we 
hope will not be lost. Some of her ex- 
pressions being preserved, are as follows : 

The second or third day of her confine- 
ment, a number of young people and 
others being present, she invited them to 
sit down in silence, that they might be 
favoured to feel the Lord's living pre- 



92 

sence ; when she was engaged to warn the 
lukewarm, not to put off their day's work 
until sickness ensued, as the pains of the 
body would be enough to bear, without 
the distress of the mind, for disobedience ; 
and those who had been favoured in some 
measure to give up their names to serve 
the Lord, were encouraged to hold on their 
way. Next morning, some friends being 
about to take their leave, she, in a pressing 
and affecting manner, expressed her con- 
cern for a young woman who had been 
long afflicted with sickness, that she might 
not forget the power by which she had 
been visited, but be given up in faithful 
obedience to him who had called her, and 
not put it off for a more convenient sea- 
son, as there was no time more acceptable 
than the time present. She also pressing- 
]y advised them not to forsake the attend- 
ance of religious meetings, which is our 
reasonable duty ; and when there, to en- 
deavour to silence all their own creaturely 
desires, that they might be favoured to feel 
the living presence of the Lord, to the re- 



93 

freshment of the soul, which was to be 
prized above all the enjoyments of a per- 
ishing world. At another time, she said 
to her father, she did not think she should 
continue long, and desired they would 
give her up, as she saw nothing in her way, 
and expressed the satisfaction she had in 
her deep exercises. Two young women 
coming into the room, she requested them 
to sit by her bedside ; and after a short 
silence, spake to the state of their minds 
in an affecting manner, exhorting them to 
deny themselves of every thing that the 
Lord had a controversy with, setting forth 
the love of God in a living and sensible 
manner: soon after, she said, you are go- 
ing to supper ; I hope you will wait upon 
the Lord, that you may know your strength 
to be renewed, which is the way to be con- 
tented with that which best suits our con- 
stitutions, and not to desire many rich 
dainties. At one time, being asked by 
her father how she did, she pleasantly an- 
swered, " I am well enough :" two of her 
brothers coming into the room, she said, 



94 

be kind to your parents ; adding, there is 
no greater joy to parents, than to see their 
children walk in the Truth. In the course 
of her sickness, she was divers times heard 
to express great concern for the prosperity 
of truth the world over, without respect 
to the distinguishing names of religion. 
Her concern for the welfare of her fellow 
creatures was so great at one time, that 
she expressed a willingness to lay down 
her own life, if it would be the means 
whereby one soul might escape everlast- 
ing misery. 

Her sickness was long, which she bore 
with resignation ; though she sometimes 
desired, that the time of release might 
come, but begged she might be favoured 
with patience to wait the Lord's time. 
She was frequently engaged in supplica- 
tion to the throne of grace, and expressed 
much tenderness for her parents, especial- 
ly for her mother, who was very weakly, 
to whom she would often remark, " I do 
not know but thou wilt wear out in taking 
care of me ;" saying to the young woman 



95 

who waited on her, "Thou will be reward- 
ed.' One of her brothers coming to seo 
her the day of her decease, her father 
asked her, if she had any thing to say to 
her brother ; she answered, " I have done 
my day's work, and that makes me easy 
to part with him." A few hours before her 
departure, she said to her father, " Who 
can desire me to stay any longer ?" He 
replied, that he had no desire for her con- 
tinuance ; at which, she was rejoiced ; and 
soon after, her speech failed her, though 
she appeared to be sensible until near the 
last ; and she quietly passed away, as one 
falling into a sweet sleep, the 29th of the 
Fifth month, 1802, aged near 25 years. 



96 



The Testimony of the Monthly Meeting of 
Gahvay, concerning William Odell. 

IT appears, that he was born in the 
year 1755, in the town of Weston, in Fair- 
field county, and state of Connecticut, of 
parents by profession Presbyterians ; and 
received his education amongst that peo- 
ple. About the 24th year of his age, he 
removed to Ballston, in the county of 
Saratoga, and state of New-York. Being 
brought under religious exercise, he be- 
came convinced, that the religion which 
he had possessed was merely traditional, 
and not sufficient for him ; and as he con- 
tinued to seek the Lord, with desires to be 
instructed in the right way, after much 
exercise and many humiliating seasons, he 
bacame convinced of the Truth: and as 
be submitted to the dictates thereof, he 
was led to seek a people that were con- 
cerned to walk by the same rule, and to 
mind the mwe thing. Hearing of a Meet- 
ing of Friends, abut 18 miles from him, 



97 



lie attended it to satisfaction, and in time 
became a member of our Society, His 
zeal and concern to meet with his brethren 
to wait upon the Lord were such, that he 
often travelled on foot, to and from the 
aforesaid meeting in a day; and being 
faithful to manifested duty, he grew in 
grace, and in the saving knowledge of our 
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; and it 
pleased the Head of the Church to qualify 
him for the work of the ministry, whereby 
he was constrained in gospel love, to tell 
unto others what the Lord had done for 
him ; and was often concerned to invite 
Ihe attention of the people, to the word 
nigh in the heart and in the mouth. He 
manifested a concern for the right or- 
dering the affairs of the Church, and to 
impart suitable counsel and caution to his 
beloved children. He was a kind neigh- 
bour, and an affectionate and sincere friend, 
which gained him the esteem of his ac- 
quaintance and friends. 

He was taken ill from home, on Fourth- 
day, the 3d of Seventh month, 1805, with 

9 



98 



the billious cholic, but returned home that 
evening. He signified, that it was uncer- 
tain how his disorder might terminate, but 
said, if the Lord had no further service for 
him, he had no desire to live any longer. 

On Sixthday, he said to his children, " I 
shall leave you exposed on every hand ;" 
and wished them to be watchful and care- 
ful; adding, "I want you to do well. 5: 
Seventhday, he appeared to be in great 
bodily distress, which a relation of his ob- 
serving, asked him, if he was not discour- 
aged; to whom he cheerfully answered, 
" No, child ! there is nothing to discourage ; 
if I die, there is no cause of discourage- 
ment." On Firstday, he expressed his 
love to his friends and neighbours that 
came to visit him. On Secondday morn- 
ing, his children being near him, and dis- 
covering their grief, he said to them, get 
down to that which gives strength ; adding 
some expressions in supplication for their 
preservation. A person corning in to see 
him, inquired how he did ; after speaking 
something in regard to his disorder, he 



99 



said, " I am very unwell, yet I feel noth- 
ing to discourage ; but, Oh ! it is a great 
thing to be prepared to die — and they are 
unwise who put it off until the closing 
scene : it is the business of life. I feel my 
mind quiet, and centered in the ocean of 
love and infinite goodness. 

Thus, what he believed in and had felt 
concerned to propagate in his life, he was 
established in at the day of his death. A 
few hours after the foregoing expressions, 
he quietly departed this life, the 8th of the 
Seventh month, 1805, aged about 50 year,^ 
and a minister 12 years, 



100 



The Testimony of Nine-partners Monthly 
Meeting, concerning William Valen- 
tine. 

HE was born in the township of Hemp- 
stead, on Long-Island, in the year 1730. 
His parents not being in profession with 
any religions society, he was left to choose 
for himself therein. From his own ac- 
count, he was, when young, frequently 
brought under a deep concern for his ever- 
lasting welfare, which continued for some 
years, without his finding that which he 
longed for. In this state of mind, he at- 
tended the public Quarterly Meeting of 
Friends at Westbury, where, by the pow- 
erful ministry of Samuel Fothergill, who 
was extensively engaged in gospel labour, 
he was convinced of the principles of 
Truth, as held by Friends. This was a 
day of glad tidings, his spirit being com- 
forted in the enjoyment of the presence of 
Christ his Saviour, whom he now found to 
be near, even within himself. After this, he 



101 



diligently attended the meetings of Friends 
at Westbury, mostly on foot, (being in 
low circumstances,) though he lived at a 
considerable distance ; and persevering in 
faithfulness to the manifestations of Truth, 
he was enabled patiently to bear the cross, 
and became an example of christian so- 
briety. After some years, he received a 
gift in the ministry, and his communica- 
tions were acceptable and edifying. 

In the year 1783, he removed within the 
compass of this Meeting, where he con- 
tinued to reside till his decease. He was 
a diligent attender of meetings for worship 
and discipline, and honestly concerned for 
the right order thereof, and was often en- 
gaged to show unto others, the way of life 
and salvation. Though he did not travel 
far abroad in the ministry, yet he at differ- 
ent times visited some of the remote parts 
of this Yearly Meeting, and several times 
the families of this particular Monthly 
Meeting, to the satisfaction of Friends. 

His conversation was instructive, and 
often when he was conversing on -subjects 

9^ 



102 



a re 011s nature, his spirit was broken 
and eontrited. 

He loved the company of young peo- 
ple, for whom he often expressed a con- 
cern, that they might be prevailed on to 
devote the morning of their davs to the 
service of the Lord ; testifying, from ex- 
perience, that they never would have cause 
to repent of it, but that they would come 
to witness, that a dav in the Lord'- courts, 
is better than a thousand elsewhere. 

When, through bodily indisposition, he 
was confined at home, he appeared much 
resigned to his allotment ; often mention- 
ing, that he was fast hastening to the grave, 
and had no desire to live longer if it was 
the Lord's will to remove him hence ; vet 
he hoped to keep clear of anxiety on that 
account, and said, " 1 am patiently wait- 
ing, and quietly hoping, until my change 
come." 

Thus having been devoted to the service 
©f Truth, he was favoured in his con- 
cluding moments with a peaceful niind^ 
and quietly departed this life, the 6th of the 
Fourth month, 1808, aged about 78 year-:. 



103 



The Testimony of Nine-partoers 31 
Jit cling, concerning Mart Grit i 

IT appears, that she was born at Stoning 
ton, in the State of Connecticut, in the 
Fifth month, 1710, of parents of the Socie- 
ty of Presbyterians, who being zealous in 

their profession, endeavoured to educate 
her agreeably thereto. Her mind was 
early and tenderly visited with the influ- 
ence of divine love, agreeably to her own 
expressions : " I do, from a degree of ex- 
perience, certainly know, that the holy 
spirit is moving upon the minds of child- 
ren in early life, reproving for evil doing, 
and justifying well doing ; and when 

young, I often retired alone, and the 
breathings of my mind were, that if I were 
spared to arrive to the state of a woman, 
the Lord would enable me to become a 
good woman : but by not yielding in faith- 
fulness to the manifestations of Truth, niv 

mind was led into the vanities of vouth. 

• ■ 

for which I was secretly reproved; and 



104 



when, having arrived to mature age, attend- 
ing a meeting appointed by Friends near 
mv residence, the Father of mercies was- 

ml 

pleased to meet with me in a wonderful 
manner : may I never forget the tender 
dealings of a gracious God." As she at- 
tended to the teachings of divine grace, 
her understanding became enlarged in 
knowledge and experience in spiritual 
things, and through obedience to the mani- 
festations of Truth, she came forth in a 
public testimony for the cause of right- 
eousness, about the twentieth year of her 
age. In the year 1745, she removed with 
her husband within the limits of this 
Monthly Meeting, and became eminently 
qualified for service and usefulness in the 
management of the discipline of the 
Church. Her ministry was lively and 
edifying, and she was frequently led, in 
the Sowings of gospel love, tenderly to 
invite the youth to forsake the vanities of 
this life, clearly holding up to their view, 
the great advantage of an early dedication, 
in choosing the Lord for their portion ; and 



105 



as she dwelt near the spring of eternal life 
m her own mind, so she was remarkably 
distinguished by the character of a true 
disciple ; loving, kind, affectionate, and 
courteous to all. She several times trav- 
elled in the service of the gospel in divers 
parts of this Yearly Meeting, and twice 
into New-England. Her services in these 
visits, were very satisfactory and comfort- 
able to her friends : and when more than 
four score years of age, she performed an 
extensive and very acceptable visit, in the 
love of the gospel, to the northern parts 
of this Yearly Meeting, in which the di- 
vine life manifestly accompanied her re- 
ligious services, being supported and car- 
ried through to admiration. She con- 
tinued lively and green in very advanced 
age, her mind appearing centered and set- 
tled on the living foundation : and about 
the ninety-fifth year of her age, she per- 
formed a satisfactory visit to a number of 
the Monthly Meetings in Nine-partners 
and Stanford Quarterly Meetings, and the 
families constituting them ; and in the 



106 



hundredth year of her age, when she was 
so weak in body, as not to be well able to 
stand alone, she felt her mind drawn to 
visit a part of the families of Nine-part- 
ners particular meeting, which, by the 
aid of her Mends, she performed, and was 
led to point out and speak with clearness 
to particular states among those she visit- 
ed, and attended several public meetings 
at this place, wherein she w T as admirably 
favoured to communicate suitable coun- 
sel, in a lively and pertinent manner. In 
these visits, the declaration of the Psalmist 
was abundantly verified : " those that be 
planted in the house of .the Lord, shall 
flourish in the courts of our God : they 
shall still bring fruit in old age ; they 
shall be fat and flourishing." Thus hav- 
ing been long; exercised in her heavenly 
Master's cause, she seemed absorbed in 
his love, and her converse was much about 
the things that pertain to an everlasting 
state. When retired and meditating alone, 
which was her frequent practice, she was 
heard to say, "I hope ere long to rest 



107 



lernally in the arms of thy love. 5 ' A; 
another time, after recovering from a 
fainting fit, to which she was subject, she 

[claimed, u I feel love to flow to all 
mankind, and I believe this love will vet 
increase, and Truth prosper and spread 
through distant lands, even where they sit 
as it were in darkness ; and that the know- 
ledge of the Lord will cover the earth as 
the water does the sea : my heart is filled 
with praises to the Lord, that he not only 
called me in my youth, but enabled me 
to follow him, and is vet with me in old 
age. Oh, it is well when we can say with 
the apostle, < I have fought a good fight, I 
have finished my course, I have kept the 
faith ; henceforth, there is laid up for me, 
a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, 
the righteous judge, shall give me at that 
day : and not to me onlv, but unto all them 
also, that love his appearing.' " She gradu- 
ally declined, continuing in a sweet frame 
of mind, and in the morning of the 1st of 
Twelfth month, she desired her daughter 
(who had been with her on a visit, and pro- 



108 



posed leaving) to slay another day, as she 
had long wished her to be present at her 
close. Towards evening, after a fainting 
turn, she called for her children and grand- 
children, and addressed them with her last 
words, saying, " Fear the Lord above all 
things, and keep up your religious meet- 
ings; 51 and in a few hours, she breathed 
her last, which was on the 2d of Twelfth 
month, 1810, aged 100 years and about 7 
months ; and we doubt not, but she has 
obtained the fulness of her petition, which 
was, " May I be favoured so to live, that 
I may at last receive the reward of * Well 
done/ and an entrance into the joy of my 
Lord." 



/ 
/ 



109 



The Manorial of the Monthly Meeting of 
Hudson, concerning Thomas Comstqck. 

IT appears, that he was born at Provi- 
dence, in the State of Rhode-Island, the 
3d of the Ninth month, 1732, N. S. His 
Parents, Thomas and Mercy Comstock, 
were religiously disposed persons, and 
frequently attended Friend's Meetings, 

In his vouth, he was of a serious turn of 
mind, and by careful attention to the in- 
ward manifestations of divine light, we 
believe he in good measure witnessed de- 
liverance from the dominion of sin. 

After many deep baptisms and close 
exercises, he became prepared for the im- 
portant work of the ministry ; and from 
the best accounts we can obtain, about the 
29th vear of his age, came forth in that 
important service, to the acceptance of his 
Mends. He travelled considerably in the 
service of Truth within the compass of 
the Yearly Meetings of Rhode-Island, 
New- York, and Pennsylvania, approving 

10 



110 



himself faithful in the discharge of his 
duty : and we believe his labours were to 
the satisfaction of Friends, and to the 
peace of his own mind. 

In the year 1766, he entered into the 
marriage state with our esteemed friend, 
Elizabeth Haviland, of Flushing, Long- 
Island, and shortlv afterwards, remoyed to 
Oblong, in this State, and he was long a 
useful member of that meeting. ^ 

During the last 26 years of his life, he 
resided in the city of Hudson ; and we 
have cause for thankfulness in having been 
>so favoured with his religious services. 

In doctrine, he was sound and edifying : 
not forward to utter words, carefu] to min- 
ister from right authority. Humility and 
meekness, were conspicuous traits in his 
character. Although it was sometimes 
his lot to feel great depression, yet we 
believe he often had to witness the truth 
of the declaration, " Blessed are they that 
mourn, for they shall be comforted." Mat, 
w, 4* 



ill 



He was diligent in the attendance of our 
religious meetings, while of ability of 
body : and being convinced of the spiritu- 
ality of all true worship, we often beheld 
in him a dignified example of solemn si- 
lence. 

Deep in religious experience, and pos- 
sessed of a feeling mind, he was peculiarly 
qualified to sympathize with the afflicted. 
His heart and house were always ooen to 
receive his friends with genuine hospitali- 
ty, preserving that simplicity of life which 
adorns the followers of Christ. He was 
punctual in fulfilling his engagements, en- 
deavouring to avoid every occasion of of- 
fence, being a great lover of peace. 

In conversation, instructive and often 
cheerful ; his company, even in advanced 
years, continued to be very desirable : and 
when increasing; infirmities of body dis- 
abled him from attending meetings, his 
understanding remaining clear and unim- 
paired, his advice was often sought for. 

Thus, he passed through the various 
progressions of a religious life, faithfully 



112 



endeavouring to promote the cause of 
universal righteousness on earth ; and in 
his conversation amongst men, perhaps it 
may be said, that few have been preserved 
in a more undeviating line of rectitude. 

He peacefully departed this life, the 
llth of the Third month, 1811, aged 79, 
a minister about 50 years. 



113 



The Testimony of Stanford Monthly Meet- 
ing, concerning Sarah Hull. 

SHE was daughter of Edward and 
Phebe Hallock, of Marlborough, Ulster 
county, in the State of New-York, who 
instructed her in the principles of the 
christian religion as held by the Society 
of Friends ; which, together with the ex- 
ample of Friends who put up at her fa- 
ther's house, was blessed to her, tending 
to turn her mind, in early life, to the in- 
ternal monitor, by whose reproofs for 
lightness of conduct, she was favoured to 
see that it was well with the righteous, and 
to dread the displeasure of the Almighty. 

In this state of mind, she frequently 
sought places of retirement to pour forth 
her tears, and pray to the Lord that she 
might be favoured to witness his help to 
walk in a way that would be acceptable 
to him. 

In some of these seasons, when favour- 
ed with a sense of the heavenly Father's 
love, her tears were tears of joy ; and she 

willingly entered into covenant, that if the 

10* 



114 



Lord would be with her, and keep tier 
from evil, she would serve him all the da 
of her life : her mind was also attended 
with a belief, that if she was faithful, she 
would have to testify to others of the good- 
ness and mercy of the Lord, and to invite 
them to come and partake thereof. 

It was a pleasant duty to her to attend 
religious meetings, often riding a consid- 
erable distance on horseback to those for 
church discipline ; none being held near 
her Father's place of residence, whilst she 
lived with him. 

In the rear 1785, she was married to 
our friend, Henry Hull, of Stanford, in 
Dutchess county, and settled within the 
limits of this meeting, then a branch of 
Creek Monthly Meeting. She was soon 
noticed by Friends, for her diligence in at- 
tending meetings, and for her exemplary 
and pious conduct in other respects. She 
was of a pleasant, cheerful disposition, and 
disposed to be useful to her fellow crea- 
tures, seeking occasions therefor without 
ostentation. Her sympathetic mind often 
led her to the habitations of the afflicted. 



li.5 



where she was frequently en< ; in ; 
uf kindness, and in imparting salutary 

counsel, which rendered her visits pleasant, 

id particularly useful to some who were 
under discouragement from other causes 
beside bodily affliction. 

She was frequently left alone with tl 
< are of his family, when her bus id wag 

o-ao;ed in trayelling in the ministry, to 

hich service she cheerfully gave him up. 

About the thirty-first year of her aa 
Aie came forth herself in that important 
work, with much diffidence. Her appear- 
ances in the ministry for several years 
were not frequent : but being careful to 
wait for the renewed eyidence of Truth, 
her offer] yvere yery acceptable ; and 
by being faithful in the little, she grew in 
her gift, and became a well qualified in- 
strument for the Lord's work. She fre- 
quently performed religious visits to the 
families of Friends, in this and the nei^h- 

curing Monthly Meetings; and also tray- 
elled within the limits of Pennsylyania, 
Rhode-Island, and this Yearly Meeting. 
The last of these yi^its, was in the year 



*i 



116 



1810, when parting with her husband in the 
city of New-York, as he was about em- 
barking; on a religious visit to Great Brit- 
ain and Ireland, she recommended him 
with her own soul to the care and protec- 
tion of Israel's Shepherd, and then returned 
home ; and after a few days, she left her 
children, in much tenderness of spirit, and 
set out for the Yearlv Meeting on Rhode- 
Island, which she attended, and went from 
thence as far as Nantucket ; and taking 
meetings in the way, returned home. Af- 
ter her return from this journey, she was 
several times heard to say, that she believ- 
ed it would be the last visit from her to 
Friends in New-England, which proved to 
be the case : she, however, performed sev- 
eral short journics, which kept her from 
home a few days at a time, returning joy- 
fully to her familv, who were dear to her* 
and to whom she was an example of kind- 
ness and charity. 

In the spring of the year 1 81 2, a solemn 
dispensation of sickness, which proved 
mortal to many, spread a general alarm 
amongst the inhabitants of this and some 



117 



adjacent places; in the progress of which, 
she appeared to be raised above the fear 

of danger, visiting the sick, and attending 
meetings and burials ; and was much fa- 
voured in the exercise of her gift in the 
ministry ; the streams of gospel love 
which flowed through her, tending to con- 
sole the hearts of many. 

On the 19th of Third month, after re- 
turning from the funeral of a friend, she 
complained of severe pain in the head, 
and the prevailing fever setting in, she was 
soon confined to her bed; where she evin- 
ced the fortitude of a Christian, and could 
look back and reflect on her endeavours to 
advance the cause of religion, with thank- 
fulness. Her mind appeared to be filled 
with love to all mankind, and particularly 
to her friends around her, saying, she be- 
lieved all w r as done for her comfort that 
was necessary to be done, and that she w 7 a^ 
resigned to wait the termination of the dis- 
order. To a friend who came in, she said^ 
" I now know 7 that I have not followed 
cunningly devised fables, but living and 
substantial truth." At another time, when 



118 



her mind seemed filled with heavenly love, 
speaking of the happy state of the right- 
eous, she said, " I am raised above all 
doubting, my good Master has shewn me, 
that he has prepared a seat for me." At 
another time, calling a young man to her, 
" This is a time to prove religion, and I 
now find that the religion I have lived in, 
will do to depend upon : leave all myste- 
rious reasonings and doubtings, seek the 
God of thy father and of thy mother, and 
he will be found of thee : be faithful to a 
little light, and it will be increased. 5 ' Hav- 
ings she said, done her day's work while in 
health, she was ready when it was the di- 
vine will to receive the reward thereof. 
A few minutes before her departure, with 
great difficulty of utterance, she said, " I 
want to go to bed ; as says the prophet of 
the righteous, they shall enter into peace, 
they shall rest in their beds :" and then, in 
a peaceful state of mind, departed this life, 
on the 4!h of the Fourth month, 1812, aged 
about 48 years, leaving the consoling evi- 
dence, that she had gone to the abodes of 
rest and peace. 



119 



The Testimony of Nine-partners Monthly 
Meeting, concerning Reuben Palmer. 

IT appears, that he was born at Horse- 
Neck, in the state of Connecticut, of pa- 
rents who were in profession with the Pres- 
byterian Society. In his minority, they 
became convinced of the principles of 
Truth as held by Friends, and removed 
to this place in the early settlement of it, 
and joined in religious fellowship with our 
Society, in the year 1742. He was natur- 
ally of a lively, cheerful turn of mind, yet 
in early life, so far submitted to the opera- 
tion of the divine principle in the heart, as 
to be preserved in a good degree of inno- 
cency* and thus he continued until about 
the fortieth year of his age, when he was 
brought into exercise of mind, and led to 
believe that a dispensation of the gospel 
was committed to him. Many and deep 
were the baptisms of spirit which he pass- 
ed through while under the preparing 
hand; and about the forty-sixth year of his 



120 



age, he came forth in the ministry, bearing 
a living testimony to the satisfaction and 
comfort of his friends ; and although a man 
of small capacity, yet through faithfulness 
to divine openings, he became qualified to 
preach the gospel in the demonstration of 
the spirit, to the refreshment and encour- 
agement of the exercised traveller Zion- 
ward; occasionally warning the unruly 
and gainsaying, being also concerned for 
the right ordering of the discipline of the 
Church. He did not travel much out of the 
compass of our own Yearly Meeting in the 
exercise of his gift, yet was devoted to his 
heavenly Master's cause, manifesting a con- 
cern for the young and rising generation, 
frequently visiting them in their habita- 
tions, and, like a skilful nursing father, 
watching opportunity to caution, counsel 
and advise them, being often favoured to 
break a crumb to the tender minds of these, 
as well as to those of riper years. Many 
of us can subscribe to the expressions of 
the apostle as applicable to him ; that he 
had no greater joy, than to hear of his 



121 



children walking in the Truth, He con- 
tinued his labours in these parts, often vis- 
iting the adjacent meetings, and particu- 
larly the northern parts of our Yearly 
Meeting. About the 75th year of his 
age, he apprehended it his duty to remove 
and settle in Rensselaerville, in the com- 
pass of Coemans Monthly Meeting ; and 
although it was trying to his friends, espe- 
cially at that advanced age, yet they re- 
signed him to the disposal of his heavenly 
Father, and as he had lived, so he parted 
with his friends, in love. He continued 
there near 7 years, where (we have cause 
to believe) his religious services were very 
useful, in which time, through the con- 
strainings of divine love, he made a visit 
to the families of this Monthly Meeting i 
often expressing, that he had come ther£ 
to take a final farewell of his dear friends. 
His visit was very acceptable, and through 
the continued goodness of his divine Mas- 
ter, his cup was made to overflow 7 , under 
a grateful sense of which he took leave, 
and returned home ; and according to bis 

II 



122 



own expressions, it proved a final parting. 
From thence, with his children, he removed 
and settled at Western, in Oneida county, 
and from Friends of that place, we have 
received the following remarks : 

He lived amongst us about three years 
and a half, and was beloved by his friends 
and neighbours. He was a constant at- 
tender of meetings, while able. His min- 
istry was seund and edifying. A few 
months before his death, he visited a num- 
ber of families of Friends and others to 
their satisfaction, and his own peace of 
mind. He was often heard to say, that he 
felt thankful that he had been enabled in 
his old age and weakness, to perform those 
labours of love which he believed were 
required of him. As the time of his disso- 
lution drew near, his love and concern for 
the Truth and its testimony, appeared to 
be unabated. He often exclaimed in our 
public meetings, " Oh ! Western, Western, 
now is the day of thy visitation ; close in 
with it." He was, whilst amongst us, a 
pattern of innocence in life and conversa- 



123 



tion. During* his last sickness, which con 
tiimed about nine weeks, he underwent 
much bodily pain, and bore it with great 
patience and christian fortitude ; saying, 
" My pain is all in my body ; I feel none 
in the best part." He often expressed 
great desires to be taken to the rest of the 
righteous, having a firm hope and belief 
that he who had preserved him thus far, 
would carry him safe through ; often ex- 
pressing a desire, that Friends might get 
into the just man's path ; for he had found 
by experience, that it grew brighter and 
brighter : and a little before his close, 
prayed as follows : " O Lord, remember 
my children and grandchildren, relations 
and dear friends, the world over. O, that 
thou wouldst be pleased to lengthen 
the cords of Zion, and strengthen her 
stakes, that thy righteousness and truth 
might prosper in the earth. One mornings 
he said, " I have had a very poor nighty 
but I now feel my heavenly Father's pres- 
ence, and such sweetness of mind, that I 
have nothing to do but to die ;" adding. 



1.24 



«* tell Friends to be engaged to keep up 
their religious meetings." 

He departed this life, the 1 1th of Eighth 
month, 1811, aged about 86 years, having 
been a minister about 40. 



125 



The Testimony of Am anal k Monthly Meet- 
ing, concerning Sarah Underhill. 

SHE was the daughter of Robert and 
Rebecca Field, members of Purchase 
Monthly 3Ieeting. Her mother was re- 
moved by death when she was quite young, 
but through the humbling visitations of 
divine grace, she was made willing to 
yield obedience thereto, and to seek an 
inheritance in the Truth ; and by perseve- 
ring in faithfulness to the unfoldings there- 
of, she became qualified to be a useful 
member of religious society. 

After her marriage with our friend Isaac 
Underbill, she faithfully performed the 
important duty of a wife, being attentive, 
kind, affectionate, and indeed, a true help- 
meet to him on all occasions. 

Her care and piety were particularly 
exemplified in the education and manage- 
ment of a numerous offspring. She was 
concerned to seek for wisdom and under- 
standing to nurture them in ibe fear and 



11 



* 



126 



admonition of the Lord : and from the ful- 
ness of her concern for her children's wel- 
fare, she would frequently, as she walked 
by the way, or was sitting by her fireside, 
Invite their attention to the Law of the 
Lord written in their hearts, and her peti- 
tions were often preferred to the throne of 
<jrace on their behalf. 

Diligent in the attendance of meetings, 
even to advanced age, she w T as also an ex- 
ample of humility and reverent waiting 
in them. Her countenance grave and 
sweet, evinced the serenity of her mind 
and the weightiness of her spirit, and that 
she was deeply engaged to perform true 
and acceptable worship ; and w r e have no 
doubt but she frequently experienced, on 
those solemn occasions, the verity of the 
Psalmist's declaration, " The voice of re- 
joicing and salvation is in the tabernacles 
of the righteous." Thus, sensible of the 
benefit as well as the importance of the 
duty, she was careful to encourage her 
children and domestics to the steady at- 
tendance of religious meetings, and to 



127 



make way for seasons of retirement in her 
own family, having the Scriptures and 
other suitable books often read. 

Being of a cheerful disposition, and re- 
markable for her courtesy and affability, 
she often mingled in pleasant converse 
with her friends ; and having much place 
with those in early life, as well as with 
those who were older, (for all loved her 
society,) those seasons were generally in- 
teresting ; and as her mind was under the 
influence of love, and attracted thereby to 
1he source of good, they were often to edi- 
fication and the promotion of the cause 
of righteousness. 

Instructed in the school of Christ, she 
became qualified to be an elder in the 
Church, and a mother in Israel. Sensible 
of her dependance on the Lord for daily 
support, it was her practice often to medi- 
tate on his goodness, frequently appearing, 
at such seasons, to be filled with thankful- 
ness in the enjoyment of the divine pres- 
ence. And having in the vicissitudes and 
exercises which marked her progress 



123 



through life, experienced the supporting 
arm of the Lord to be with her, she would 
often gratefullv commemorate his wonder- 
fill dealings, and encourage others in a 
feeling manner, to faithfulness and obe- 
dience to the law of the Spirit of life, that 
so they might know Christ to be the way 
and the door into the sheepfold, their sane- 
tification and redemption. Being endued 
with an intelligent mind, enlightened by 
divine truth, she was qualified to discern 
the early buddings of wrong things in her 
own family and others, and being vigilant 
in care, gentle, but unwearied in her en- 
deavours to reclaim, her labours rarely 
failed of acceptance. 

She was a zealous supporter of the dis- 
cipline of the Society, and careful to ex- 
emplify in her own conduct a correspond- 
ence with her precepts. 

Commiserating the afflictions of her fel- 
low creatures, for which she was remark- 
able, her sympathy was often directed to 
the sufferings of the Africans and thei T 
descendants, in a state of bondage, 



129 



Her last illness was short, and being oc- 
casioned by a paralytic shock, rendered 
her very helpless, and in great measure de- 
prived her of the use of speech. She, ne- 
vertheless, retained her understanding, and 
was preserved to the closing scene, in that 
sweet disposition which had been so dis- 
tinguishing a trait in her character through 
a long life, waiting with patience and re- 
signation for the hour of dissolution. At 
intervals, she would be pleasant as if in 
perfect health, and strive to communicate 
to those about her, and although with 
much difficulty, she occasionally uttered 
a few words. Her bodily afflictions were 
great, and at times she also experienced 
much poverty of spirit. At one time, she 
expressed herself so as to be distinctly 
understood, " I beg that I may be pre- 
served to the end : our Saviour desired 
that the cup might pass from him, but 
ssaid, Not my will, but thine be done ; ?9 
adding, " submission to suffering is also 
necessary for us," 



130 



She desired, that a friend who was sick 
should be told from her, " not to give way 
to discouragement, but to lift up her head 
in hope, for help was near." To several 
young friends who came to see her, she 
imparted tender and affecting counsel, 
though with faltering accents ; urging the 
necessity of faithfulness to manifested 
duty. One evening, she said, " Oh, how 
poor and destitute I am, yet I have no 
cause to be discouraged; what shall we 
do when we have no light ? Look to the 
Lord and he will help." 

At another time, " I have an anchor to 
my soul, and am surrounded with light : I 
have been labouring, and have got to the 
bottom : all is light and life." 

A short time before her departure, she 
said, " I am willing to go ; I am filled with 
light ; I am surrounded with light, and 
centered in it." After being fervently 
engaged in supplication, she departed this 
life, the 20th of Third month, 1812, aged 
78 years ; and having been concerned to 
keep the commandments of God and the 



131 



faith of Jesus, we have no doubt but ttiu 
voice from heaven which John heard, will 
apply to our beloved friend : " Blessed 
are the dead, which die in the Lord, from 
henceforth ; yea, saith the Spirit, that they 
may rest from their labours, and their 
works do follow them-" Rev. xiv. 13. 



FINIS. 



FRIENDS' BOOKS, 

For Sale by Samuel Wood, 

life of William Penn, ---.-. 

Thomas Chalkley, ------ 

Thomas Elwood, ------ 

*arah Grubb, »•-■-...■. 

Job : : cott, --««... 

Samuel Bownas, ------ 

John G ration, ------ 

Thomas *tory, ------ 

Sarah Stephenson, ------ 

Daniel Stanton, ------ 

MaryNeale, ------ 

Samuel Neale, ------ 

"Reckitt and Gough, - 

P. Bray ton, 

E. Sterridge, ------ 

!>Iary Mitchell, ------ 

Margaret Lucas, ------ 

John Spalding, ------ 

Journal of George Fox, £ vols. - - - - - 

Seotfs Diary, -------- 

Barclay's Apology, ------- 

"No Cross, No Crown, ------ 

SeweFs History, 2 vols. ------ 

London Epistles ------- 

Penn's Maxims, ------- 

Examples for Youth ------ 

Piety Promoted, 10th Part, - - - - - 

Scott on Baptism, ------- 

Fry's Poems, -------- 

Da'ideis, -----.--- 

Woolman's Considerations, - - - - - 

Religious Letters, ------- 

Ushers Letters, ------- 

Reply to Hibbard, ------- 

do. to ^cott, ------- 

Fothergili's Sermons, ------ 

Advices of the Yearly Meeting, - - - - 

Well's Essay on War, ------ 

Barclay's Catechism, ^ - - "m" 

Sevan's Viewr, " fe- 8 "3 " ^ " 

Grounds of a Holy Life, ------- 

Just Published , 

THE LAWFULNESS OF WAR FOR CHRISTIANS, 
X A MINED— By JAMES MOTT. 

THE MEDIATOR'S KINGD03I NOT OF THIS WORLD; 

But Spiritual, Heavenly, and Divine. 

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